This is the fourth week in my Advent series. Advent is an ancient Christian tradition, celebrating this season of preparation and an anticipation for the birth of Christ. Many churches light one candle each Sunday on the four weeks leading up to Christmas. I'm following that pattern, with the themes of hope, peace, joy and love.
love
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. -- Deuteronomy 10:17-19a
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. -- John 13:34-35
Oh, how He loves us. I have been reminded, confronted, surprised and comforted by God's love this year, perhaps more than any other year. When we decided to move to Texas, our family and friends cheered us on, encouraged us and are even operating as storage units for us. When our car was broken into during our move, there were phone calls to sympathize with us and open arms to comfort us. The love of our family and friends is what got us here in one piece. But it's the love, blessings, honesty and generosity of thirteen people that have kept us here, thriving and growing in God's love.
Those thirteen people are our Lifegroup at church. The first Sunday we were in Abilene, Landon and I decided to try the closest church to us. It's just down the street, and the huge building fooled us into thinking that the congregation was in the hundreds. When we walked into the sanctuary, there were about 90 people in the service. And we felt awkward. We're keep-to-yourself kind of Oregonians, so the hug 'n' howdy time of course made us uncomfortable, but I couldn't say that Texans aren't welcoming. People walked from across the room to greet us. And by the time the service was over, I just had a sneaking suspicion that this was place for us. We came back, and kept coming back. Not because of the worship. Not because of the preaching style. Because of the people (although the worship and preaching are great too!). We have been so blessed by the people. People who see a need and give with urgency and generosity. People who know you and allow themselves to be known. People who will dance to The 12 Days of Christmas in front of the entire congregation together. People who know what life is about, and live it. It has been such a blessing to witness the love of our group, and the love in our church. As the verse above says, I have learned to love the stranger, because we were once strangers here, but God, through his people, provided for us and revealed his everlasting love.
Teach us to love, O Lord. May we always remember to put you first as we follow Christ's footsteps, that we may know your love and show it in our lives. As we prepare for our celebration of Jesus' birth, also fill our hearts with love for the world, that all may know your love and the one whom you have sent, your son, our Savior. Amen.
xoxo.
[prayer and verses via]
2 comments:
Sounds like you've found an awesome church!!! Our church is very huggy too! I absolutely LOVE that about our church. I think we seriously take 5-10 minutes to greet one another every Sunday and most people try to give every member a hug. Granted we only have about 60-80 members. I love the sweet, sweet fellowship of our church.
I love advent! I grew up at a Presbyterian church and this is one of the things that I miss most (the lighting of the candle and the explanation each week). This post makes me smile. : )
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