The Fourth Week of Advent

Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Come and visit your people.  We await with earnest expectation of your coming.

Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us’ Matthew 1:23

God is with us” — God has drawn near to humanity in familiarity and intimacy. God has become human, entering into our world and our very existence. He came to bring to live the message of God’s LOVE. Jesus is the embodiment of the Father’s LOVE.

In the manger in Bethlehem, through the birth of Jesus, God’s love showed up. And the word was “love.” As gospel people, the church proclaims this message of His Love. Advent is a SEASON for us to remember His love and to share His love with others.

God’s love calls us to active love and service of one another. Authentic/Agape love, the love God shows through Christ — sets tables where all are welcome. Love is not merely a spoken word; it is an active word. A word that must be demonstrated to others and experienced by others.

Invitation to Prayer: Let us open our hearts and minds to new beginnings season of LOVE. Let us love others like God loves them.

Prayer: Dear lord, help me to open my heart and fill my life with your abundant love. Help us to love our neighbors and our “friend-a-mees.”