Love – Bits & Pieces of Advent

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. …Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13 (NLT)

Two of my favorite holiday movies include Love Actually (come on, Hugh Grant was great in it) and The Holiday (I love Kate Winslet). Both have a British twist to them, and both are not typical Christmas movies (aka. No Hallmark Movie Affliction here.)

What they do offer, is a look at love that goes beyond the typical saccharine offering of other films. In fact, both movies have twists you might not expect via unexpected relationships (ok, I love the friendship Kate’s character develops with a retired movie guy).

Love comes in lots of packages. The love of a friend, a significant other, a family member – love is all around us. Sometimes though, we have to look for it.

This weekend was a roller-coaster ride for me. In the upside, I had a chance to celebrate with a former student who graduated from college. On the down, I faced a few challenges with the new career new path emerging in this new season of life. Both moments remind me that God’s Got This, even when I question his actions and motives.

In between though, I went to church twice. During the morning service I got to hold the cutest little baby – who decided my sweater was a teething ring. During the evening service I watched as several of the youth offered their time and talents during worship. Frankly, both filled my heart with an abundance of love.

In the midst of the evening service, I had a chance to take communion. There are other words used to describe this action – Last Supper or Eucharist are a couple of the options.

The act, or sacrament, reminds us of Jesus’ actions during the passover meal on what we now mark as Maundy Thursday. It was a meal Jesus gave his disciples to “take and eat” to remember.

Ultimately it was an act of love, given to the disciples by Jesus. One which has stayed fresh in the hearts of believers for generation upon generation upon generation.

It was a different way to mark the final Sunday in Advent. It reminds me that as we continue to prepare for the arrival of Jesus and the love found in this season of his birth; Jesus has already gone before us, to prepare a meal – and further actions – which solidify his love for us.

On this final Sunday, as the days count down to Christmas, I pray that you take time away from the absolute chaos before you (I am right with ya on this) and take a moment to breathe, and remember this simple phrase – “God Loves Me.”

No matter what life tosses your way, God loves you. As I tell my kidlets – Always. Nothing you say or do will change that fact. God loves you always.

Christ have Mercy • Lord have Mercy • Christ have Mercy.

Faith Actions
1) Read. Why not read the “Love Chapter” also known as 1 Corinthians 13 in a couple of translations, to see the nuances found within the different words.

2. Show. How can you show love this week to someone outside of your circle of influence? What could you do to show someone they are loved?

3. Breathe. One of the ancient practices of faith is known as the breath prayer. It’s a short phrase or phrases you can say while taking a breath in or releasing it. In this case, why not repeat several times “God Love Me.”

4. Draw. What does love look like to you? Why not grab a pencil and paper and sketch out what love means to you.

What’s Next
Christ on Christmas Eve.