LOVE

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” – 1 John 4:9


Advent is upon us! The lights, the tree, the decorations, the parties, the gifts, the caroling … it keeps us busy. Sometimes too busy!  We get so caught up in “doing” Christmas that we forget to experience Christmas. The light in the night sky that lit the way for the shepherds and the wise men. The tree that became a manger for a newborn baby. The decorations of hay and straw in the stable. The party attended by the barn animals. The gifts brought by the Magi for the baby Jesus. The choir of angels singing “Glory to God in the highest.”  It is the encounter with Christmas that we need to search for.  


For many, the holidays are a time of sadness and despair. As you go through this season, find an opportunity to reach out to others. Share from the abundance the Lord has given you. Cookies for the widow next door. A kind word for the hurried mailman. Reading the true Christmas Story with your children.  It is important for us to love one another; Jesus said, “They would know us by our love” (John 13:35). He also said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them” (Luke 6:32).  The Lord loved us enough to send His only Son that we might live through Him. We need to share that love with others this holiday season!  


O Lord, thank you for the love, the grace and the mercy that you have poured out upon us!  Open our eyes to the needs of others!
 
 

Peggy Rice
Sunshine UMC
Kentucky East District