SHOW your CHRISTMAS LOVE!

 

I can't express how full my heart was yesterday. We had a lovely CHRISTMAS service at SOUTH MEMORIAL. I just loved every minute of the music and the people. One particular moment that I will always treasure was the lighting of the ADVENT WREATH by some wonderful ladies, real leaders in our Church. AND YES, these ladies are leaders in our church. You will see them doing everything, working every event, attending every service project, and quietly supporting the ministry of South Memorial. They don't get a lot of credit. We think of Christmas mostly for the kids and it is often geared to the family. There is nothing wrong with that except that there are often people forgotten during this busy time of the year. These ladies are amazing and we love them dearly!

Last night, after the wonderful service in the morning, we went CAROLING at a few of our local nursing homes to see some of our members. Once again, MY HEART was renewed by those who came out. We had nearly 20 people join us and the ages ranged from the elders of our congregation to the kids of our congregation and everything in between. Just watching the people filled my heart with great joy. My favorite was an older member of our church who is facing so many medical challenges including dementia. I am told she had a beautiful voice back in the day and loved singing. She woke up to hear our singing. The smile on her face, and her participation when we played sang JINGLE BELLS was so wonderful (she even jingled some bells with us!)

Yes, my day was filled with the magic, THE REAL LOVE OF CHRISTMAS. 

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love --- noth that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (1 John 4:9-10, NLT)

The key to these verses is that God SHOWED how much he loved us. Telling someone you love them is so easy to do. But, if we actually SHOW LOVE to those around us, that is TRUE LOVE. The act of service by those special ladies lighting the advent candles, THAT IS REAL LOVE. The spreading of joy by going and CAROLING to people struggling THAT IS REAL LOVE. 

My heart is full because THE REAL LOVE OF CHRISTMAS is alive and well in our church. 

"For God so love the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17, KJV)

Father, Thank you for SHOWING us your love, sending down you Son to this world on a rescue mission. Thank you for saving us from sure death. Thank you for the caring and loving people of South Memorial, people that love you dearly and don't just talk about it, but who SHOW that love, like you taught them. Amen!

How are you going to SHOW CHRISTMAS LOVE this week?