Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

Advent

This week, we read about Jesus’ birth according to Matthew. Unlike other accounts, this gospel has no manger scene, no angel song and no shepherds. It’s a portrait of how God is truly with us among all of the mess and complexities that we find ourselves in. That God is with us means that we can have hope in one that will bring an end to sin and injustice, that there is peace available to us, that the good news of the kingdom is among us. That God is love."

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Respond:

• Joseph walked in faith despite lacking the full picture of the hardships ahead. In what areas or uncertainties might God be calling you to a deeper surrender and trust in this season of your life?

• How do you react when we are confronted with highly unusual circumstances that disrupt our understanding of things? Has God called you to participate in something that seemed impossible or frightening? In retrospect, have you found that God was present and faithful in the midst of those strange and difficult times?