Just contemplating the fact that we need time and space alone, in the stillness, at Christmas. But we also need one another. It's so clear God did not make us to be lone-ranger Christians. He gave us the Body of Christ and tells us over and over in His Word to love one another, to encourage one another, to strengthen and help one another. In the Gospel of John we've been studying this year, it's one of the overarching themes--LOVE each other. "A new command I give to you," Jesus tells us, "that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)
That's quite a standard, isn't it? To love others the way Jesus has loved us. The kind of love that propels a holy, Almighty God from the infinite joys and wonders of heaven to the dirt and squalor of a stable. From the worship of glorious angelic beings to the worship of simple shepherds. From the throne of the universe to the frailty of a poor, peasant family.
And the kind of love that sends this Infant-Messiah from the cradle to the cross.
That's how we are to love one another. I don't know about you, but I fall flat on my face a thousand times a day when it comes to that kind of love. My sin and selfishness mar that love and diminish the gift of love I so desperately want to give and to demonstrate to my family and friends. So often I'm such a tarnished, dim reflection of the glorious Savior that I want to reflect to the world.
But even in that, it's not about us... it's all about Him. Not about what we can do, nor about how we can love... but about what He will do through us, about how He will pour out His love through us, broken vessels though we might be. After all, isn't that how the light often shines through in the most glorious ways-through the cracks and spaces and broken places?
So today, I'm just thankful that Advent means time alone, time spent quietly--even if for just a few minutes--reflecting on God's Gift of Love--the Lord Jesus--on that first Christmas. His Gift of Love that literally changes everything and everyone.
But I'm also thankful that Advent means being part of a community and loving others--imperfectly maybe, but through Him who is Perfect Love--and simply enjoying their presence. Thanking God for the gift of those loved ones in our lives. His Gift of Jesus. His gifts of others.
Give us more love, Jesus. Like those shepherds, help us this Christmas to be quick to share with others the incredibly wondrous news of Your coming as a baby to save us... and Your coming again.
"When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them... And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had told them." (Lk 2:16-17, 20)
Might we share the Good News today, Lord. Share it not just with words... but with love. Your Love. To God be the glory.
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