WATCHWORD:
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Meditation:
The Greatest of These is Love
Wouldn’t you agree that the most common theme at this sacred time of year is love. Love in all its forms, settings, worship, family. Love. A gift, a grace, a blessing, a joy.
We love our husband or wife, or that special person in our life. We love our children, and our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren, and our dog and our cats and other pets, and all our family, extended beyond blood. We love sunsets, oceans, reunions, lakes, mountains, and dreams. I love to write, to read, to travel, to love. You, too, have loves of your own. We are created to love, you and me.
I had a dog named Mandy, just a mixed breed, mostly black lab. She was very loyal. I loved her and she loved me. She would follow me on walks and listen to my prayers or my laments, and she would comfort me. Nearly 40 years ago, she was injured beyond repair and I had to make the sad decision to let her go, peacefully. The love we shared is still here, right in the center of my being. How do I know? The tears of remembrance as I write this tell me so.
That is true for all those we have loved, who are no longer with us. We remember, and in the center of our being there is an ache, a void shaped by that love. That is the nature of love. Once it is truly there, it never goes away, it never dies.
God has given us an enormous capacity to love. We add to it, but none of it diminishes. The love that God has given us is like loving arms that embrace and hold as dear, then reaches out for more, more love. Unquenchable. When this physical life ends for someone close to us, love that we hold for that person remains.
Our faith tells us that we never die, these bodies waste away and leave us, but the spirit remains. And so, the love for a person becomes part of who we are and never diminishes. When we add another love to our lives our love capacity simply grows and enriches.
Christmas. Another new year on the horizon. What will it bring? God knows and guess what? God is in charge, God loves us and God is love. Maybe that is all we really need to know. The love you will experience in the coming year will simply be added to all that you cherish, and that is reassuring. Another blessing from our Lord.
Peace, to you and to all those you love. May God bless your Christmas and the coming new year.
— Stan Escott
Fourth Sunday of Advent:
The fourth candle of Advent is called the “Angel Candle” and it symbolizes peace and comes from the fact that the angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace to our hearts and to our world.
Prayer for Love:
Let the spirit of Christmas bring unity, kindness, and love to all corners of the world. May we embrace one another with compassion and spread the warmth of Your love. Grant us serenity and joy that transcends circumstances, and let Your light shine brightly in our lives Amen.
