This Sunday marks the second week of Advent.

Advent is about judgment, about God’s loving presence to reveal and to heal the world.

Last Sunday, we talked about how the world longs for justice, and that justice always comes with judgment.

This week, we talk about the response to judgement: repentance. Malachi speaks of "refiners fire" and "fuller's soap," both images that are stark, but both images of purification.

Contrary to how it is often talked about, God’s judgment is always rooted in God’s righteousness...his character...his goodness...his love. We have talked about how judgment is like a doctor shining light on our sickness. It is for the purpose of healing!

And yet, that doesn’t mean that it’s not scary. It stings. Sometimes healing hurts. And yet we trust in the character of the healer.