The season of Advent begins with a reminder that everyone belongs in the kingdom of God. The prophet Isaiah has a vision: The mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established as the highest mountain … All nations shall stream toward it. Jesus observes that “many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” God initiates the divine plan by choosing a family, the family of Abraham. God’s circle widens to include the tribes and then wider still to include a kingdom. It was the destruction of the kingdom that caused the chosen people to realize that the circle of God’s care includes everyone. What happens to you impacts me and what happens to me inpacts you. Trying to hide behind walls keeping our family safe ultimately will not work until everyone’s family is safe.
