We fool ourselves
thinking that love is easy
love is natural
while we confuse
love with so many other 
things

We love food and pets
children and friends
spouses and cars
with no distinction in our
language

All the while wondering
if we are worthy of love
if we are loveable enough
if we need to do more
have more
be more
to receive the love we 
crave

Advent Love is none of this

Advent Love does not care
about our possessions or 
bank accounts
if we do nothing with them
for the sake of our neighbors

Advent Love is the opposite of
our empty words and ambivalent actions

If Love were as easy as we 
pretend it is
Christmas would be unnecessary
God would not have needed
to break into our hard, cold world
with an infant
vulnerable
homeless
fragile
just to ease our fears

The Advent of Love is an ancient calling
an old, old song whose 
lyrics we have long lost
a melody sung to the whole of the Cosmos
inviting us into all things possible
now

The Love we long for is here
in and through us all
woven through the rhythms of Creation
we seldom notice

When we arrive at the manger this year
may we notice the ancient song
being sung once more
inviting us to Love our neighbors
as ourselves
in ways the break the bonds of Empire
and free us all to live in peace
the peace on earth promised
to all when the angels proclaimed
the first birth

We are notes in that song
instruments of Hope
Peace
Joy
Love
playing together in a 
symphony of promise

We are the Love come down
at Christmas
changing our tune is long overdue