A Love That Lives

Mary and Joseph are often in our thoughts this time of year. For their lives were consumed by love’s fire. All that went before — life, love, and family plans they had made together — either lost their meaning or were changed to meet a new, remarkable life that was defined by the coming of Jesus.

On the one hand, it is every parent’s story. So many changes occur when a child arrives. Without even asking, the child demands time, resources, patience, and love. While it is natural to give up or make changes in our lives, it is not always easy. And sadly, some can’t find the love or life to share, and the child suffers. So, there is much we share with Mary and Joseph. Their story is very much ours, the human tale of love, surprise, and change. While never losing this human aspect of life, their story had another side that was very much different than ours.

Their past, their religious upbringing, the faith to accept the unacceptable, and to believe beyond what anyone could conceive led them to that remarkable time when they accepted God’s challenging gift of Jesus. At that moment, other thoughts and ideas were burned away like chaff in the intense light of God’s love. A love that consumed them and all thoughts of their future life were changed forever.

Jesus was a child, and Jesus was and is the Christ of God. Yes, Mary and Joseph loved him, and he loved them and more. This child was born out of God’s love for all the people of the world. I believe it is no stretch to say that he is born out of God’s love. Jesus is The Love that lives. His love is the center of all that is good. A love that created all things and continues to create. His love brings redemption to the world and is the source of true life. And by this Christmas birth, through the faith of bewildered and possibly frightened parents, the love of God joined with us, with humanity. And all who open themselves up to the unlikely, hard-to-understand birth of Christ Jesus, who allow themselves to love him, will find themselves consumed by the love of God. Much of the chaff, the spiritually harmful habits, and evil will be burned away by the light of this love.

This season, let us join and love him as Mary and Joseph. Embrace the change he brings and “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24).

Join us Sunday and let’s consider what it may mean to be people who are a Love that Lives.

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Pastor Rick