We enter today into the 4th and last Sunday of Advent. The waiting period of preparing our hearts and minds for the birth of Christ is coming to an end. However, Christmas isn't here yet, we are still waiting! The 4th Sunday of Advent brings the wonderful, hoped for theme of "Love!" We have had Hope, Peace, Joy, and now Love. The popular wedding verse from First Corinthians "now these three remain faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love!" May you feel God's deepest love as we move closer to Christmas.
Our Gospel lesson today from Luke chapter 2 tells of one of the most famous Bible verses ever! The angel Gabriel visits Mary to announce that she will be with child, and to name the child Jesus, because he will save us from our sins! And how does Mary respond? "Let it be!" This is our response as well to God's call in this last week of Advent. In this time of waiting and preparing our hearts for Christmas! "Let it be!" Similar to that famous Beatles song by the same name!
Let it be, oh God, as we have no control. Let it be, oh, God as we have no control and life is not up to me! And then Paul winds up his Book of Romans, in our second lesson, with this same theme: "Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to the Gospel...of Jesus Christ....to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever. Amen! (Romans 16: 25-27)
