Love … it certainly is easy to find this time of year. Cleverly tucked within greeting cards. Showcased in romantic movies on the Hallmark Channel. And nestled within tiny velvet jewelry boxes.
I admit that kind of love is fun, exciting and makes me want to hug the person closest to me. But let’s be honest … that kind of love is also temporary. The greeting card eventually gets thrown away. The romantic movie comes to an end. The pretty jewelry tucked inside the velvet box … well, some of mine have actually tarnished.
So today, let’s talk about a different kind of love. One that is eternal, holy and filled with glory. A love so exciting it makes this advent season pulse with joy.
Love … a holy ribbon woven throughout Scripture.
Beginning way before Genesis thoughts graced the stage of life. Reaching far beyond the final words in Revelation. A love that is always present. Love. Never. Ending.
Did you know that God is not just filled with love? God is love. And Christ is that holy ribbon who has always been and always will be. A ribbon of Love strung from eternity to eternity. A ribbon that pulls you close and holds you forever.
During the Advent season we anticipate the great celebration. Our hearts capture the brilliant moments Love takes on human form and the world becomes hopeful again. Love wrapped in infant flesh. Trading limitless space for a limited earthen place within the confines of a worn-out manger.
Love … stooping low for us. Love bending its knee for you and me. For all mankind so that we can celebrate Advent season with wonder and awe as our soul rejoices in grace-strung freedom.
Will you take a moment and pause with me?
Let’s try to imagine all that Mary must have anticipated in her first advent season. Anxiously waiting Love’s birthday. Feeling Love kick and turn inside her womb. Wondering what Love would sound like as He exhaled His first cry. And then finally cradling Love in her arms and feeling His tiny heartbeat up against hers. Holding Love close and noticing every perfect detail of His face, hands, feet.
I wonder what Mary pondered in those first few moments and days? Was she reminiscing her conversation with the angel, Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38) who first appeared nine months prior? Was she recalling words the shepherds shared about their own angelic experience?
“The shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:16-19
I believe Mary was pondering the nearness of Love. So tender. Perfect. Beautiful in every way. And just like Mary … this Love is here for you today. Do you see Love? Do you ponder Love’s presence? Do you treasure up all the things Love has done for you?
If you are hurting, Love longs to comfort you.
If you are discouraged, Love seeks to delight you.
If you are broken, Love comes to make you whole again.
If you are afraid, Love whispers, “I will protect you.”
As we celebrate Advent – the glorious arrival – and ponder Love today, let’s treasure up every moment, every experience, every opportunity to share Love with others.
Let’s slow down and notice the details of perfection in how Love captures our heart and draws us closer.
Let’s remember in awe and wonder the sacrifice Love made for us, as He hung not on a Christmas tree, but on a covenant Tree, so that we could be His forever.
Friend, my prayer is that the hustle of the holidays would not keep you from noticing the love of Christ all around you. That you would become increasingly aware of His activity and be intentional to ponder the greatness of His glory. Allow Christ’s love to reign in your heart so that it overflows in such a beautiful way making you always ready to lavishly share Him with others.
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It’s Your Turn to Share: What is one way you are hoping to experience Love this Advent season?
Liz says
What if ones entire life has been a struggle? Form as far back as I can remember? I pray every day that I can follow Gods plan for my life. I feel a calling to change careers yet do not know what it is I am supposed to be doing. I am stuck in depression, anxiety, not knowing the right path to follow. What direction to. To turn. Alone in this world. Praying for my son. Myself to hear, see, feel which way to turn. I put all the energy I have into putting a smile on my face trying to trust God has a plan for my future at 50 years old. Work, a home, simple life & peace in my heart is all I ask, after 50 years of struggling. All I want is do do what God wants of me yet I do not know what path that is? I am a single child of divorced parents whom I had to care for at the end of their lives. Feeling very alone, telling myself that God is my father & He will never leave me. I want to follow the footsteps He chooses for me yet I can not find them? Watching both parents take their last breath. I do not see what great plans were laid out for them? What if there is no happiness in my few years I have left? No career? No love? No home? No joy to have in my heart? Where is this peace I am promised? No miracle for my son who struggles with addiction? I continue to pray and spend time with the lord everyday…50 years is a very long time to wait. What if Gods timing is not until I leave this world? I am not supposed to question any of that & desperately try not to.
Leah says
Dear Liz,
All of your questions are valid ones and I’m sure many people ask those same questions of God every single day. Life on this earth can be so difficult and without God, we would have no hope. But with God, we have His love, joy, peace, hope, guidance and assurance and so much more … available to us 24/7, through His Word and HIs presence within us. I’m praying for you today. Hoping you will embrace all of these gifts from God, because it’s what He wants for you.
Brooke says
I would like to ask you to pray for me. I have been in a terrible spiritual battle for a few weeks now. It came on all of a sudden and has caused so much fear and anxiety in my life. I long for peace so bad. Just need prayers.
Leah says
Brooke, I am praying for you and proclaiming these words over you today:
” For God has not given you a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
I pray that your fear would be replaced with supernatural faith and your anxiety be replaced with God’s peace. And that no weapon that tried ties to form itself up against you shall prosper. In Jesus’ name, amen.
AnnK says
Please pray for a rebellious child who has rejected the faith and is making choices that reflect the lies he has been told. Pray for his salvation and that Jesus will become the love of his life.
Leah DiPascal says
Ann, I’m praying for your child today – asking God to soften his heart to fully receive the love, mercy and grace Jesus has for him.
susanna says
Please pray. For Me. I no longer want this aniexty I refuse it however always feel Ill to my stomach. And blood pressure. I see a mental heatlh nurse. She wants Mr to be strong against my husband who always abuses me and his brother. I need peace. Blessings. Susanna. Thank you
Leah DiPascal says
I am praying for you today, Susanna.
Melissa says
Hello. First, yes, praying for Belinda and her son. This Christmas, I am praying that sickness doesn’t take away the joy and wonder that can be experienced at Christmas. I pray that my mind is totally focused on Him. 🙂
Belinda says
I am reading your site and just wanted to ask if you would put me on your prayer list. I had cancer at 17. The radiation caused breast cancer after the initial cancer. I had a mastectomy and hysterectomy in 2004. Open heart surgery in 2012 to replace a valve from too much radiation again. I adopted a little boy 2 years ago who is 4 now. I’m 56. Just got diagnosed with cancer again and they say there is no cure for this breast cancer recocurrence in my lung. Please pray with me. This little Boy’s life has already been tumultuous,I really wanted to be here to raise him. Very sad and co fused right now but trying to hold on to my faith.
Mary says
Praying for you Belinda.
Brenda says
Praying for you and your son Belinda.
Leah DiPascal says
Belinda, I’m so sorry to hear about your difficult health journey and I’m praying for you today. I’m asking God to remove all the cancer in Jesus’ name and restore you to complete health – from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. I’m believing God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He is our Miracle Worker and Mighty Healer. I’m believing God will provide you with many more wonderful years ahead with your sweet son.