Love - The Fourth Sunday of Advent

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Tomorrow we continue the liturgical calendar, the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

The four Sundays preceding Christmas, which is when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, are recognized for four virtues. The candles on the Advent wreath symbolize hope, peace, joy and love.

The Fourth Candle of Advent - Love.

Love plays a vital role in the Christmas story. Because of Joseph’s love for Mary, he didn’t stone her when he found out she was pregnant with what he thought was a child out of wedlock with another man (Matthew 1:18-19). Mary has a natural motherly love for Jesus, and ultimately, we see God’s love for everyone by sending his son for us (John 3:16). 

Jesus focused on preaching love throughout his ministry. Two of his greatest commands involve love: Love God, love your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). 

Love is the greatest of all the virtues on the Advent wreath and encompasses Jesus’ entire purpose for being on earth (1 Corinthians 13:13).

What Does the Bible Say about Love?

Not surprisingly, the Bible has a lot to say about love.

Depending on your translation, the word appears 100-300 times throughout Scripture. It makes sense. God is love (1 John 4). They know we are Christians by our love (1 Corinthians 13:1). Love sacrificed Jesus’ son for our sins. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 alone lists a number of characteristics of love: it’s patient, kind, it does not envy, etc. 

We cannot walk with Christ without it, and we cannot have the Christmas story without it. As Linus states in A Charlie Brown Christmas, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that "love came down at Christmas" . Thank you that your love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. 


Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign. (Poem by Christina Rossetti) 

In song
https://youtu.be/zIr5th0d44Y



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