Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent, the day we light the candle signifying Love. Like Hope, Peace and Joy the previous few Sundays, sometimes it doesn’t feel like there is much love in the world.

The picture is of a nativity scene at a Lutheran church in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Setting up the display in the rubble is a reminder that Jesus was a Jew, and also a Palestinian.

In Bethlehem tonight there are no celebrations and no tourists. The usual festivities were canceled as a show of solidarity with the suffering in Gaza.

I am very much aware of the misinterpretation that is possible for anyone who writes about the conflict between Israel and Hamas that has seen so many deaths and so much suffering in the past couple of months, with no end in sight. No matter what I say, someone is likely to take offence, even at a suggestion as simple as that we should all be praying for peace.

Our society, and our world, seem to be more polarized than ever. Many people seem to believe that only one view is the correct one, no matter the topic, and if you disagree then you are part of the problem. Or evil incarnate.

Which makes this a good time to contemplate the meaning of Advent and Christmas. God becoming flesh, with a message of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

In a world ruled by Despair, War, Sorrow and Hate, we need to cling to the message of Advent and the birth of Jesus. Even in the rubble.