THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: LOVE
VOICE 1 - The fourth candle of Advent is the Candle of Love. It's light is meant to remind us of the love that God has for us.
VOICE 2 - Jesus shows us God's perfect love. He is God's love in human form. The bible says "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
VOICE 3 - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; “Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful or conceited, rude or selfish. Love is not quick to take offence, it keeps no records of wrongs, it does not gloat over other people's troubles, but rejoices in the right, the good, and the true. There is nothing that love cannot face, there is no limit to its faith, to its hope, to its endurance. Love never ends.”
VOICE 4 - We light this candle today to remind us of how God's perfect love is found in Jesus
(Light the Fourth Candle)
LET US PRAY: Loving God, we thank you for your gift of love - show to us perfectly in Jesus Christ our Lord. Help us prepare our hearts to receive Him. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and do your word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.
“What’s Love Got To Do With It?”
I can remember when Peggy and I, lived in Sheffield Mills; and one day Peggy returned from seeing the doctor.
“Brian,” she said. “We’re going to have a baby.”
What an exciting moment that was! What a special message, that she given me! I could hardly contain myself, as I thought about (me) becoming a father.
Many emotions went through my mind; happiness, excitement, joy; and fear. I knew nothing about being a parent, all I knew, was how much I loved my beautiful wife, because of the great news that she had just given me.
I looked at her, saw the glowing face, of an Angel.
A short time later, we were given a most precious gift.
Have you ever had that type of experience?
Has someone ever given you great news, which was…
‘right-off-the-hook?’
Can you remember what you did?
Can you remember the words spoken?
Did you scream?
Did you jump up and down?
Did a huge smile suddenly appear on your face?
Did you hug and kiss the person, who brought the Good News?
Have you ever had the opportunity, to bring the Good News, that would totally change someone’s life?
How did it feel, to see the expression on their face, and watch the reaction to the Good News? Well, I can tell you, it is a feeling beyond description, to share in such a joyous time – with someone you love.
We choose to give the Good News to people we love, we want to see them happy and (often) we share in their joy – simply because we love them, and (in return) they love us.
In Luke 2:8-14, we read about the Good News that was shared, in love, through love, and because of love – for all mankind;
And, there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy, that will be for all the people.”
Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying n a manger.
Suddenly, a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the Angel, praising God and say; Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men, on whom His favor rests.
There is no greater news, that has ever been shared, given, or told, than that of the Great Messiah’s birth.
How do you think the Angel felt, in sharing that Good News? What kind of emotions do you think the Angel has stored up in the their heart?
We are not told which angel it was. We know Gabriel visited Mary, and gave her the Great News of her pregnancy; but this angel is un-named. Even though un-named, I would like to refer to this angel, as the Angel of Love; for this angel brought the Good News of Great Joy, that would be for all the people.
For God, so loved the world, that He gave His own begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him, shall not parish, but have everlasting life.
God gave his Son, Jesus, to the world, to you and me, as a Gift of Salvation. The Angel of Love, brought the Good News to those lonely shepherds, on a Judean Hill, long ago.
The gift was given (with great love), and the message was given (with great love) as well.
In our scriptures, this morning, love is explained; in terms we can understand and model (or repeat).
1 Corinthians 13:4-8;
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.
Prophecy, and speaking in unknown languages, and special knowledge, will become useless. But love, love will last forever!”
Some people struggle all Christmas season, year after year, trying to figure out; “What’s it all about?”
Well, what it’s all about, is Love. The love God gives us, the love He showed by sending His Son; to save us from ourselves.
The love, shown by the Angel, who came with the Good News.
The love, each and every one of you, show to one another; during the Christmas Season. Why can’t we treat one another, all-year-long, like we do at Christmas? Why don’t we just love everyone, all the time? Do we even know what love is, true, unselfish love?
Love is the acceptance of people, just the way they are. Love is, not wanting to change that person, to what you think they should be; but, love is helping that person, grow and mature into what they want or could be.
True love, is the love that God showed to us, His children; as He sent His one and only Son to us; as a great and wonderful gift.
And for every one of us, that believe in Him, and all His promises, we shall be granted life -eternal.
What an amazing and wonderful gift!
But, it doesn’t stop there. His love continues. He sent His Son, not to judge or condemn us, but to save us, because He loves us.
When we read John 3:16-17; the entire gospel of God - is revealed. These passages are the message of the Good News.
God gave us life everlasting, through the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus. God showed His caring and compassion that day, so long ago; for He showed us His love.
God’s love is not static, but changes to meet our needs. Sometimes we get off track, and God’s love adjusts to meet us where we are, and calls for us to come home; and often takes us by the hand, and leads us back to the flock.
God’s love is not self-centered, in the fact that He reaches out and draws people to Him, to salvation and life-everlasting. In this passage, God sets the standard; He set as the pattern, and the basis, for all love relationships to follow.
A giving, nurturing and unconditional love.
That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!
God’s love for His people, and the gift of salvation; through the Baby Jesus.
“In the peaceful joys of Christmas, in the stars that shine above, in the wonder of the season, is the gift of God’s great love.”
This is the love of that first Christmas.
In remembering what God gave us at Christmas, my question to all of you; how will you show your love, for Jesus, this Christmas?
Let us pray;
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