Love
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we re-light The Candle of Hope, The Candle of Peace, and the Candle of Joy, and now the Angel Candle, The Candle of Love.
(LIGHT THE LAST PURPLE CANDLE)
Perhaps the best-known verse in all the Bible is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life!”
The Apostle John wrote that verse, among many others. John was known as the “Apostle of Love”! More than any other writer, John wrote about the love of God the Father and God the Son. In 1 John 4:7-8, John wrote: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
John also wrote that Jesus expected His followers to love one another as God the Father had loved Him, and as God, the son had loved the disciples, that the world would know of God’s love for them.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus said: “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another!”
“Love Came Down at Christmas” is a poem written by Christina Rossetti and first published in 1885. Its simple but profound words have also been put to music by several writers:
- Love came down at Christmas, Love, all lovely, Love Divine,
- Love was born at Christmas, Star and Angels gave the sign.
- Worship we the Godhead, Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
- Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?
- Love shall be our token, Love shall be yours and love be mine,
- Love to God and all men, Love for plea and gift and sign.
- Also read: Psalm 24:1-10; Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 2:8-20; John 1:14; John 3:16; 1 John 4:10
- Suggested hymns: Away in a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem