“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called – that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9

Hope, peace, joy, love – our guiding principles through the Advent season. Guiding principles for the entirety of our lives. As we loving God first, love others and love our self as God commands and intends, we will achieve unity of spirit, sympathy, tender hearts and humble minds. If each of us lives to bless others, even when persecuted, when under attack, when everything and everyone seems disagreeable how glorious would life be!? If we all lived lives to bless others and not have our own way, then there would no disagreement. Am I, are you, living the life of holy love God calls us to? Who and what do you hope in? In who or what do you attempt to find inner peace? In who or what do you seek joy? In who or what do you seek love and approval? Do you love as Christ loves? The conception and subsequent birth of Christ is the beginning of the Passion; God the Son, larger than the entirety of creation, squeezed into the womb of woman is just the beginning of the sacrifice. Have love for one another as Christ has for all.