Advent (sun)Day 22: The Response of Love

If you or your church community participates in the Advent by lighting candles as a way of remembering God’s hope, peace, joy, love, you may recall:  We have lit three candles—for hope, for peace, and for joy. Today we light the FOURTH candle—the candle of LOVE. With this flame we signify the love of God that surrounds and fills us at all times, but that we recognize in a special way in the Christmas story. There is no greater power than love. It is stronger than rulers and empires, stronger than grief or despair, stronger even than death. 

We love, because God loves us.

Just in case you need a few moments of careful reflection or rest or in case you missed this song of hope, peace, joy, love from last weekend’s post, check out: 

ADVENT PRAYER
Loving God, we open ourselves to you this Christmas season.
As these candles are lit, light our lives with your imagination.
Show us the creative power of hope.
Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
Fill us with the kind of joy that cannot be contained, but must be shared.
Magnify your love within us.
Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
That we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.

ADVENT ACTION
We will seek God, not in a long ago stable or ancient manger,
But in the people we meet and the depths of our own hearts.
May the blessing of Christmas make you a blessing to others;
May the peace of the season pervade all that you do.
We will welcome the challenge of discipleship.
We will offer ourselves as God’s ministers.
We will go forth in hope, peace, joy, and love.
Today, listen to the undertones communicated by your housemates, children, spouse, friend, neighbor.  Hear and then respond accurately with a small act of love.  Maybe that means you’ll get up early to make breakfast OR maybe you’ll surprise your housemate by scrubbing the shower (though you dislike that task greatly) OR maybe you’ll simply go on a walk and ‘weep with those you weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.’  Listen and Respond well with the Love of Christ.