Advent - The promise of love

This powerful message invites us to explore what it truly means to love as God loves us. Drawing from Matthew 22:36-40, we discover that all of Scripture—the entire law and prophets—hangs on two fundamental commands: loving God completely and loving our neighbor as ourselves. This isn't merely emotional sentiment; it's love in action that transforms everything. The sermon challenges us to examine our lives through the lens of love by asking penetrating questions: How do we spend our time and money? What does our calendar and checkbook reveal about our priorities? Do we love God with our devotions, church attendance, generosity, and testimony? And perhaps most challenging—do we love difficult people, even our enemies? The Christmas season becomes a perfect backdrop for this examination, reminding us that God's love wasn't just proclaimed but demonstrated through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. We're encouraged to move beyond isolating ourselves from hurt and instead embrace authentic relationships, whether around the dinner table with family or in extending grace to strangers. The beautiful hymn 'In the Bleak Midwinter' captures the heart response: 'What can I give Him? I give Him my heart.' This Advent reflection on love calls us to practical transformation—not just feeling love, but living it out in every conversation, every relationship, every moment of our daily lives.