As we have imagined a home for the Holy this Advent we have laid a foundation of Hope; built four solid walls of Peace; and opened the doors and windows last week so Joy can be shared with the world.
Every home needs a source of heat on cold December days, and so today we light a fire of Love in the fireplace of our humble home. The Love we celebrate at Advent is God’s eternal, unconditional love that nothing can ever overcome.
In every generation there are Herods who try to snuff out God’s Love, but those forces of evil never win. They can huff and puff all they want, but no hurricane of hate will ever blow down the home for the Holy.
And so today we light this final candle, the candle of Love, to remind ourselves that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us pray:
O Emmanuel, we give you thanks and praise that you love us, even when we are selfish and undeserving. You are with us always like a guiding north star to lead us back home when we are lost. You wrap us in your love when we are afraid. You restore our hope when our faith falters. You alone can give us the peace that passes all understanding. You give us all these gifts wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger, and our hearts are filled with Joy. Remind us again to open the doors of our hearts so the Holy Love that came down at Christmas can dwell within us and overflow into our broken world. Amen
Northwest UMC, December 22, 2024
Peacefully Harsh 