LOVE IS
December 5th, 2004 · Posted in Christianity, Reflections, The Church Year ·And the Word became flesh and lived among us,
and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father’s only son full of grace and truth. John 1:14
and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father’s only son full of grace and truth. John 1:14
A lesson to be learned for Advent: learn to love — not just talk about love — but love.
God’s coming into the world through Jesus Christ is the special event we celebrate in the seasons of Advent and Christmas. This event shows us who God is. As John puts it in John 1:14 – we see God’s glory in Christ. In Christ we see that God is not distant or far away – but has come among us to share in our lives – our joys – our celebrations – as well as our pain and our heartache.
God’s coming into the world through Christ also shows us who we can be. We can see the true nature of God in God’s love for us – and we can share God’s nature with others as we become the loving people God has called us to be.
Gordon Atkinson is a Baptist minister in Texas who publishes a web log – or a “blog†– that I visit a lot. If you have never read it, it is certaily worth a read.
God’s coming into the world through Christ also shows us who we can be. We can see the true nature of God in God’s love for us – and we can share God’s nature with others as we become the loving people God has called us to be.
Gordon Atkinson is a Baptist minister in Texas who publishes a web log – or a “blog†– that I visit a lot. If you have never read it, it is certaily worth a read.
He also published a book of his blog entries. One of the entries in his book covers how love is not feelings – but actions. I like this idea. We love when we show love – when we act in loving ways – not when we talk about love or even feel love. In fact it is at those times that we may not really feel loving – but act in love anyway – that we capture the true nature of God. It’s those times we reach out to those who are not like us — or those who may have hurt us – or those we may disagree with — and say – in actions and words — “God loves you and so do I†– that we capture the true nature of love.
Centuries ago St. Irenaeus wrote:
“The Son of God became a son of man –
so that the sons and daughters of men
could become sons and daughters of God.â€
God showed His love when He came into the world through Christ. We celebrate God’s love when we share His love with others.
Have a glorious – blessed – and loving – Advent and Christmas!
Centuries ago St. Irenaeus wrote:
“The Son of God became a son of man –
so that the sons and daughters of men
could become sons and daughters of God.â€
God showed His love when He came into the world through Christ. We celebrate God’s love when we share His love with others.
Have a glorious – blessed – and loving – Advent and Christmas!
Until next time — Peace! Bill
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