Advent - the Season of Love
Advent Week 4
This week we light the fourth candle of Advent Wreath.
"We light this candle to symbolize the gift of God’s love in Jesus Christ."
Psalm 89:1-4; 20-26
"I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:
'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'" Selah
Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: "I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people.
I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him;
my hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.
The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him.
I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.
My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; and in my name his horn shall be exalted.
I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation!'
Reflection
Ask 100 people to define, describe, or give an example of love, and you will likely receive 100 unique responses.
Love is something we all desire.
Love is something we all chase.
And love is often sought after in places and in ways in which it will never be found.
Love cannot simply be minimized to a feeling or emotion.
Love cannot just be seen as an action or an experience.
Indeed, love is often evidenced within these.
But love is much more complex than all of these combined.
Love is decisive.
Love is "yes, and".
Love is stubborn.
Love is no matter what; no matter when; and no matter the cost.
Love is that which holds us together when all else is crumbling apart.
Love is reckless and illogical.
Love stands when it more convenient to sit; stays when it is easier to leave; is silent when all you want to do is speak; speaks even when fear tries to steal your voice.
Love makes no sense and yet is the only thing that makes sense out of our everyday nonsense.
Love cannot be found because Love is.
This Advent, we await the arrive of Love made flesh. If you listen closely you may even hear Love's voice...
in the cry of a child.
Activity
Sometime before Christmas, write a note or card to someone who has been an example to you of the ferocity of love or someone who has reminded you of God's love.
This would be an incredible Christmas gift to give.
This week we light the fourth candle of Advent Wreath.
"We light this candle to symbolize the gift of God’s love in Jesus Christ."
Psalm 89:1-4; 20-26
"I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:
'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'" Selah
Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: "I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people.
I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him;
my hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.
The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him.
I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.
My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; and in my name his horn shall be exalted.
I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
He shall cry to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation!'
Reflection
Ask 100 people to define, describe, or give an example of love, and you will likely receive 100 unique responses.
Love is something we all desire.
Love is something we all chase.
And love is often sought after in places and in ways in which it will never be found.
Love cannot simply be minimized to a feeling or emotion.
Love cannot just be seen as an action or an experience.
Indeed, love is often evidenced within these.
But love is much more complex than all of these combined.
Love is decisive.
Love is "yes, and".
Love is stubborn.
Love is no matter what; no matter when; and no matter the cost.
Love is that which holds us together when all else is crumbling apart.
Love is reckless and illogical.
Love stands when it more convenient to sit; stays when it is easier to leave; is silent when all you want to do is speak; speaks even when fear tries to steal your voice.
Love makes no sense and yet is the only thing that makes sense out of our everyday nonsense.
Love cannot be found because Love is.
This Advent, we await the arrive of Love made flesh. If you listen closely you may even hear Love's voice...
in the cry of a child.
Activity
Sometime before Christmas, write a note or card to someone who has been an example to you of the ferocity of love or someone who has reminded you of God's love.
This would be an incredible Christmas gift to give.
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