The last candle on the advent wreath is the candle of love.
This year, it was lit in the morning and the christ candle for Christmas lit at the midnight service.
As I light the love candle, I see advent giveway to Christmas. God with us.
On my way to Christmas eve with the family, I stopped to see how she was doing. She was coloring pages from an adult coloring book, tears streaming down her face. I sat with her. I looked at each of the beautifully coloured pages and I saw God with us.
Love turns pain to joy, despair to hope, violence to peace. Love is what came on Christmas morning and lives on in and with us.
Love is getting out of your own storyline and breathing in someone else's. Love is not losing it when someone wrongs you. Love is unexpected thoughtfulness. Love is letting go and moving on.
That tiny baby born in Bethlehem grew up and walked the way of love. Love of God. God made flesh. And he didn't fix it. He hands the work to us. With one command... "Love each other as I have loved you."
Love lights your candle and your small light pierces the darkness, drives out fear and beats down the voices that can haunt at night.
May this holy night shine a light into the world corners of your life and may you carry a flame into the new year. The world so desperately needs it.
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