Light Advent Candle:
- HOPE Candle – Purple
- LOVE Candle – Purple
Scripture Reading:
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ~ 1 John 4:9-10, NIV
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ~ Luke 2:11, KJV
Advent Hymn:
Prayer:
God, I thank you for sending your Son as my Savior. Help me celebrate your never-ending love. Lord, help me to know you and draw closer to you. Fill my heart with you love, and make me ready to show your love throughout the world. Amen.
Coloring Page:
Download a FREE Coloring Page for this week.
The Love of a Parent
A mom jumps fully-clothed into a pool to save her drowning child. Well, of course, that seems appropriate until you learn that she didn’t know how to swim either. We hear of parents who display unknown strength & bravery when disaster strikes in order to save their children. Parents taking a mauling from a tiger, bear, or dog. Mother’s actually lifting cars off of trapped children. Mothers shielding their children during tornadoes and earthquakes. Even parents who have stepped in front of bullets in order to save their children.
After the trauma, after wounds heal, after all the therapy needed in the world from witnessing a parent’s death, after all this, these children must understand & know that they are loved.
Do you know you are loved? Do you know how MUCH you are loved?
God, your heavenly Father, sent his ONLY begotten Son in order to save YOU.
Why? Because you are loved. Loved by God.
During the Christmas season, so many people become depressed. They don’t feel loved. No one is showing them love. They are lonely. They have no romance in their lives. No meaningful relationships. Their friends turn out be “fair weather friends.” They feel un-loved. Un-wanted. Alone.
Do you know that God WANTS/YEARNS to be your best friend? He wants you to bring your burdens & cares to Him. He wants you to come, and tell Him ALL your worries & concerns. God, your heavenly Father, WANTS you to have a Personal Relationship with Him. He loves you more than you will ever know, or can possible understand.
To experience the love of God, brings joy, peace, & serenity. To know that we are loved. To know that Jesus suffered on the cross, bearing MY sins, and gave his LIFE for me – there is no greater LOVE.
As Christians, we are commanded to love one another (John 15:12). We are to share the love of God. Remember,
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” ~ 1 John 4:8, NIV
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.“ ~ 1 Corinthians 13:2, NIV
“We love because he first loved us.” ~ 1 John 4:19, NIV
Do not wait for someone to show love to you first. Be the one to show love to your fellow man, since God loved us first. Pass it on.
“…God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” ~ Romans 5:5, NIV
Spending time alone is wonderful…when you spend it with God. Stop waiting for the world to show you earthly love, turn to God for His Wondrous Amazing LOVE. Pray. Read your Bible. Reflect on what God has done for you.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ Romans 5:8, NIV
Jesus is God’s perfect love in human form.
