All year long we wait for the season of Advent, anticipating the celebration of the arrival of Jesus. During the weeks of Advent, we are pleased to offer a devotional reflection that draws on the four themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. We hope you’ll be encouraged and reminded of the God who is with us, Emmanuel. In addition, we invite you to support the work of CCDA, and hope you’ll consider giving generously during this season.
December 20: Love
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35
In a profound act of love, the God of creation enters into our midst in the person of Jesus. Out of God’s immense love for us and his desire to be reconciled with humanity, he sends Jesus to dwell among us, to be present in our midst.
In this hour of advent, we remember Christ’s humble beginnings. He is welcomed by a rabble of animals, in a humble shed or cave, and he is first seen and worshipped by a few shepherds and their sheep. From the beginning, the trajectory of Jesus’ life is already set. We sense Good Friday and Easter looming not far off as we celebrate his birth. The story of Jesus is marked by radical and undeserving love and mercy. Jesus spends his life and ministry with the outcasts of society, in a theology of love from below. He gives his disciples a new command to abide by: Love one another. Just as I have loved you. This is how the world will know you belong to my tribe.
As advent comes to a triumphal culmination at Christmas, may we be ever mindful of the fullness of God’s love for us through the life of Jesus. Like the shepherds, may we be drawn in by this love, just as they were prompted to kneel before the manger in adoration, praising the name of the One who first loved.
Within the work of CCDA, we see the tireless labor of so many of our members who are dedicated to living out the love of Jesus in our communities. In this season, we are so mindful of the humble way Jesus entered our midst, of the love that he proclaimed with his arrival. So too should we be reminded of the call set before us to embody the love of Jesus every day.
An Opportunity To Bring Love
Invest in CCDA today. Help us continue to support the work of our members, dedicated to living out the love of Jesus in our communities. Join with us as we seek to carry the love of Jesus out into the world.
