Advent (2)

This Sunday begins the second week of Advent. The candle we lit at our table this evening represents love.

Isn't that what the incarnation of God is all about? Isn't that what motivated Jesus to become one of us? Christmas is all about the amazing love of God.

We erred. We were lost. And He came...what love!

The most unlikely, amazing Rescuer ever. An embryo in the womb of a teenage girl was entrusted with saving the world.

"I light this candle on the second Sunday in Advent to remind us that Jesus came to earth to 'show and tell' us of God's love" (Celebrating the Christian Year, Zimmerman--see last week's post).

Thank You, Lord, for Your Gift of Love. May we love one another as we revel in it.

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5, NAS)

And may the Lord make your love to grow and overflow to each another and to everyone else, just as our love does toward you. (1 Thessalonians 3:12, TLB)

Have a great week. Make room for the Love of Christ to come anew in your hearts and homes. Continue to wait with hope and expectancy.

Spread the love!

He loves us! It's what Christmas is all about.

Christmas in July

This phrase usually refers to an unexpected windfall--a fortuitous felicity. In this case, however, I mean to use it literally.

This month my devotional readings are focused on pilgrimage.
One of the main themes running through the readings is that our lives are meant to be a journey. As Christians, our destination is conformity to Christ, union with the Father, fellowship in the Spirit, etc.

Yesterday's reading, however, focused on Haddington, Scotland. The author evidently came upon a scene at Haddington depicting Mary. In this scene, she is presenting her baby boy to the royal visitors who have come to adore Him.

God Himself made a pilgrimage...to a teenage virgin's womb, to a humble manger, to backwater Nazareth, to the cross, and to the grave.

Back to the scene from Haddington. These magi pilgrims came to bring an offering to the newborn King of the Jews. They brought their best...but what then happened to their hearts? Did they depart from that encounter forever changed?

Christ has come into our world as well. Many of us have knelt to worship and honor the Christ child. God not only made the pilgrimage to humble Himself in a lowly stall in Bethlehem, He has now humbled Himself enough to indwell us through the Spirit.

Kneel before Him. Adore Him. Be changed as you gaze upon the Lord of glory, He who humbled Himself to endure a shameful birth and a scandalous death.

Be humbled yourself as you adore.

This is Christmas in July.