Advent: Part Four - Love

Rev. Jim Hammond introduces us to each of the four Sunday’s of Advent and explores their significance and traditions.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Jesus is coming! There are four Sundays in the liturgical season of Advent, a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus. There are multiple ways to think about each of the four Sundays in Advent, none of which is thoroughly established in Christian teaching or in Episcopal tradition. This year we will concentrate on the themes of 1) hope, 2) faith, 3) joy, and 4) love. Yes, we are called by Jesus, himself, to love one another as he loves us. Thus, as the Fourth Sunday of Advent arrives, the last Sunday of this season of preparation for the birth of Jesus, we set as a goal simply to love -- to love God, to love our neighbor, and yes, to love ourselves. The reading from the Gospels for the Fourth Sunday of Advent is Mary's song of response to Gabriel's message, noted briefly above. She proclaims not only her obedience to God, but her love for God as she sings of God's majesty: "He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their Annunciation, Titian, 1522 hearts. ... for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant." As we gather for worship on Christmas each year, there seems to be a very special spirit which permeates the church, and indeed, all of life. That special spirit is not found just in the marvelous Christmas Carols and the many gifts, but in the love of God which we share with one another often in heartfelt and unique ways, a love which is nurtured and celebrated Rev. Jim Hammondon the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

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