Love

Advent gives us the opportunity to work on spiritual practices that may not come easy. The Christ Child that is to be born will grow up to be the Jesus who teaches some difficult truths about love. He preaches that feeling and showing love is easy toward family or friends or those with whom we feel connected. But what of our enemies and those who want to do us harm? What of those with whom we disagree or shun?

You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. ~ Matthew 5:43-45

This Advent season offers a chance to search our hearts to find a way to love those we – not God – find unlovable.