The Gift of Love

  I enjoy the quiet of Christmas day.  The heat pump is enjoying the weekend off, so I am holding and sipping a hot mega-mug of coffee in front of the fire listening to some music from WBHM.  I have not tried to write anything for awhile. There was just too much noise. It was easy to write things that would be cheered by some and condemned by others. Great for the ego and a lot of fun sometimes.  But suddenly it seemed impossible to write anything helpful. That is a bit of a lie. Truthfully I was a little afraid. 

But on this day I am reminded once again that there is no place for fear if I am to celebrate the loving God who comes, even now, and who came as a baby,  born into the most ridiculous fearful circumstances. But Mary and Joseph were told not to fear. The shepherds were told not to fear. And it appears that they  overcame their fear.  So obviously, I have to just get over it. And maybe you do too.

So indulge me and let me tell you what I am being reminded of today. 

The whole thing started with love. For God so loved. It is a love that will never end.  What did, what does, God love?  The world.  That is pretty much everything.  All of creation. This magnificent, beautiful, interwoven complex work of water, earth, heavens and life. Including every human being that ever drew a breath and ever will. This little baby that we sing about, celebrate in worship and in giving gifts, was God coming to love creation to redemption, including all of humanity, all of us.

That precious baby in the manger grew up. Jesus did a whole lot of teaching before we killed him.  Sometimes, it seems to me, we forget that part.  It seems we want to graduate without going to class.   Being saved is a wonderful thing.  Being told how we should live is a different matter.  But fear not. We are in good company. The disciples and others were notorious for having suggestions of their own.  Those conversations with Jesus never went well.  And it is the same for us. All of us. 

So what does Jesus want of us?  Sometimes in my prayers I arrogantly ask God what am I to do?  Inevitably God speaks to my heart. Thankfully God is patient. God reminds me that Jesus has already come to redeem the world. Another saviour is not necessary. Jesus taught us, with a perfect life and the most perfect words ever spoken with such economy, what is required of us.  To love as God loves, that is, universally, sacrificially, abundantly and unconditionally. To serve all as Jesus did, humbly, and without regard to status. To forgive.  And not to judge, God will take care of that.

Jesus told us to stand with the oppressed. To set the captives free. To take care of the poor and all in need. To welcome the stranger.

So, most of the time the answer to my prayer is "Well, Bob, I've already told you what to do. I'll let you know if I need something specific." 

That's pretty much it. And it is enough. The love that Jesus taught us about is the answer we pray for, especially in times like these.  

It all began with Love. God's love.  But the answer we so desperately seek has already been given to us. By the one who was born in the manger.  Certainly it is empowered by God's love. But it is our sharing of God's love with the world, sharing our love,  as Jesus taught, that is the answer we seek.  

This truth causes more controversy than anything else I have ever written about, and it will, until we give it a try.

This truth is why Jesus was born.  And why he was killed.

Merry Christmas.