Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent. Today we hold love.

The birth of Jesus was Love bursting into the world in the form of a baby. It was divine Love leaving the heavenly realms to intersect with the mundane, the bleak, the broken world.

Love’s arrival was about how God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16).

It is about how Love grew up and transformed the world. How Love became the radical, living invitation to love God, love all others, and love ourselves.

This Love exploded the human, earthly perception of love. For this Love endures. Abides. It is inclusive, drawing all people to the table. It is abundant grace and forgiveness. It encourages. Celebrates when others rise to use their gifts and strengths. It is a Love that serves and sacrifices.

This Love, is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Cor 13:4-5).

So on this fourth Sunday of Advent, we hold Love. Celebrate Love. Light a candle for love.

And as we move into this last week of Advent I am moved to pray the following Collect, “Oh Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue . . . .