Services every Sunday at 7:00 P.M.
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Services every Sunday at 7:00 P.M.
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"All Things are Possible with Love" - Luke 1:48-56 - 12/13/09 It seems like it was only a few days ago that we began our Advent journey. How time does fly during this time of the year. We began my lighting the first candle on the Advent Wreath, the candle of hope. Hope that into the darkest of nights a light would flicker reflecting God's presence. Hope that some day God's reign of wholeness and holiness will come to our earth. Hope that no matter what things seem like in this present moment that tomorrow might be a better day. Last week we added the light of the second candle of Advent, the candle of peace. Peace that is not necessarily the absence of war and conflict, but peace that God is in the midst of the strife; peace that begins in our hearts, is shared in our homes, is lived out in our communities, and that will encircle our world one day; peace that wants what is best and builds up rather than tears down. So tonight we come to the third candle of the Advent wreath, the candle of love; love that the represents God's love for the world and for each individual in the world. I once heard it said that if we could experience the love of God in every fiber of our being there would be no more war, no more famine, no more hunger, no more injustice. Just maybe that is what the world of God’s realm would be like. If we could get up each and every day knowing that we are truly a beloved child of our Creator, that God has called us, that God has a special purpose for our life, that we are gifted with everything we need for our life's journey, what confidence we would have in God and in ourselves. We would trust that God is leading and guiding us. We would believe that we are good, and graced, and loved. And if we felt that way about ourselves, imagine how we would begin to feel about others. We would want to share what we have with someone who is in need. We would want everyone to have the same opportunities. We would want to be a conflict mediator rather than a gossip spreader or a war maker. We would want to help others to experience this marvelous gift of love that we have come to know. We would work hard each and every day to help make our world a better place. “Love is always bestowed as a gift -- freely, willingly, and without expectation. It is offered even when not acknowledged or appreciated. We don’t love to be loved; we love to love.” -- Leo Buscaglia To share the love that we know deep in our souls with those people who touch our lives each and every day is a gift to be given away. The love of God is miraculous; the love of God makes the impossible possible; the love of God can change lives and homes and communities and our world. So as we enter this third week of Advent may you know the love of God in every fiber of your being. Pray that God may remove any feelings of self-doubt or self-hate. Let your body, mind, and spirit dwell in the knowledge that you are a beloved Child of God. And know that nothing or no one can take that away from you. When you go out the door into the world take God's love with you wherever you go. Let it touch your family and friends; give it to those in need, and to the stranger who seems so lonely. And know that the love of God can turn our world upside down and can make the impossible possible. |
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