Jesus Creed

Jesus Creed

4th Candle of Advent

posted by Scot McKnight | 12:10am Sunday December 21, 2008

Today we relight the first three candles of the Advent Wreath — the candles of HOPE, PEACE and JOY.

Now we light the fourth candle of Advent. This is the candle of LOVE.

blue-jeans-020.jpg

Jesus demonstrated self-giving love in his ministry as the Good
Shepherd. Advent is a time for kindness, thinking of others, and
sharing with others. It is a time to love as God loved us by giving us
his most precious gift. As God is love, let us be love also.

In the Book of Deuteronomy we find these words:

“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great
God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who
executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the
strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the
stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
– Deuteronomy 10:17-19a

From the Gospel of John we hear:

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I
have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will
know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
– John 13:34-35

Let us pray:
Teach us to love, O Lord. May we always remember to put you first as we
follow Christ’s footsteps, that we may know your love and show it in
our lives. As we prepare for our celebration of Jesus’ birth, also fill
our hearts with love for the world, that all may know your love and the
one whom you have sent, your son, our Savior. Amen.



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