Advent, 2nd Sunday. Why does the Church tell us what not to do? Because she loves us and wants us to be happy. The Church wants us to avoid making a shipwreck of our lives. John the Baptist warns the people to "repent" -- turn around -- from their sin. Sin means missing the mark. Adjust your aim to shoot consistently at true excellence. Why does this matter? Because God made us for Himself. He wants His own glory to shine from within us and make us like lighthouses. Come, Lord Jesus. (9 Dec 2012)