Love Came Down At Christmas
More than two thousand years ago, a star appeared in the East as a beacon and a guide to the newly arrived Messiah, Jesus. We talked a bit last week about the biblical account of the star. It receives a more central role in Christmas pageants than it got in the Gospel accounts of the Christmas story. But despite its brief biblical appearance, it was a star that led people to Jesus, just as the star leads us to Jesus this Advent season.
This week is all about love. As we hear from John, “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. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” This is true love, and true love is meant to be so overwhelming that we are moved to share it with others. This time of year, the world would have you believe that love is shown by what you buy for someone, and it is measured by the cost of that gift. But Jesus payed the ultimate price for the gift He gave us and there is nothing more precious for us to give than that love He shared with us.
Christmas is something that was born in the heart of God -- who motivated by pure love -- sent his son Jesus to save us. Yet, Christmas comes alive today when we allow its true significance to be born in our hearts. May the beautiful holiday lights, parties, shopping and the exhausting rush of these days not distract us from the true meaning of what Christmas really is -- and can be.
I came across a poem the other day that I think sums up the gift of love. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and that you keep hope and love in your heart as we follow the Star on our Journey to Christmas.
The True Gift of Christmas by Phillip Wenz
What started two thousand years ago with a gift from above,
was given to all mankind with unconditional love.
It was given to all who would accept its mysterious beauty and joy,
when a young mother gave birth to a little baby boy.
The little boy's life was like no other ever recorded on stone, paper or clay;
he taught us many a lesson on life as he went through his days.
During his Passion he fully gave of himself to all others,
as he laid down the gift of his life for the sins of his sisters and brothers.
Long ago his birth was made a day of mass and commemoration,
which is celebrated by men, women, and children of every nation.
His simple birth is a reminder of what is true, pure, and believed;
that it is genuinely better to give than to receive.
Centuries have come and gone; with man adding secular traditions to his birth;
there are reindeer, sleigh bells, candy canes and gatherings with much mirth.
Sometimes we forget what was given from above,
Keep CHRIST in CHRISTMAS; THE TRUE GIFT OF GOD'S LOVE.
This week is all about love. As we hear from John, “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. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” This is true love, and true love is meant to be so overwhelming that we are moved to share it with others. This time of year, the world would have you believe that love is shown by what you buy for someone, and it is measured by the cost of that gift. But Jesus payed the ultimate price for the gift He gave us and there is nothing more precious for us to give than that love He shared with us.
Christmas is something that was born in the heart of God -- who motivated by pure love -- sent his son Jesus to save us. Yet, Christmas comes alive today when we allow its true significance to be born in our hearts. May the beautiful holiday lights, parties, shopping and the exhausting rush of these days not distract us from the true meaning of what Christmas really is -- and can be.
I came across a poem the other day that I think sums up the gift of love. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and that you keep hope and love in your heart as we follow the Star on our Journey to Christmas.
The True Gift of Christmas by Phillip Wenz
What started two thousand years ago with a gift from above,
was given to all mankind with unconditional love.
It was given to all who would accept its mysterious beauty and joy,
when a young mother gave birth to a little baby boy.
The little boy's life was like no other ever recorded on stone, paper or clay;
he taught us many a lesson on life as he went through his days.
During his Passion he fully gave of himself to all others,
as he laid down the gift of his life for the sins of his sisters and brothers.
Long ago his birth was made a day of mass and commemoration,
which is celebrated by men, women, and children of every nation.
His simple birth is a reminder of what is true, pure, and believed;
that it is genuinely better to give than to receive.
Centuries have come and gone; with man adding secular traditions to his birth;
there are reindeer, sleigh bells, candy canes and gatherings with much mirth.
Sometimes we forget what was given from above,
Keep CHRIST in CHRISTMAS; THE TRUE GIFT OF GOD'S LOVE.
Posted in A note from the Pastor
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