You’re Worth Loving
This year St. Peter’s UCC in Grant Park is providing the book A Love Worth Giving to You at Christmas by Max Lucado for our members to distribute to their families, friends, and neighbors as a small gift. Each book includes an invitation to worship with our church family on Christmas Eve.
Throughout Advent we are reminding everyone that they are worth loving! Lucado writes, “(Jesus) went from commanding angels to sleeping in straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary’s finger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier. Why? Because that’s what love does.”
Each day, during Advent, join us for a journey to see just how much God’s love for you is evidenced in the story of Christmas.
Silent Night
Luke 2:7 paints an image that most parents can identify with.
“and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” (NIV).
It’s a picture of peace – at least until the baby starts crying.
The song, “Silent Night,” alludes to the silence, the calmness, the peacefulness of the night when the baby Jesus was put down to sleep for the first time.
Gazing upon a newborn baby asleep, and not crying, is one of most peaceful and surreal experiences one can enjoy.
The joy of a newborn, the love between parent and child, the hope of tomorrow and the future of the newborn baby can all be packed into one’s thoughts when observing such an event.
Despite the angels singing in the distance, the hustle and bustle of the shepherds tending their sheep, despite the noise of the sheep, cows, and other barnyard animals, peace was still found.
The newborn mother, Mary, took her first child, wrapped him snuggly in cloths, lays him down for the night, a silent night.
Let’s picture that today. Let this peace be a reminder that YOU are WORTH loving.
Prayer: God, help us to find peace in the image of the baby Jesus napping for the first time. We know that life got hectic for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the days and years to follow, but just for a few moments, peace filled the earth. Let us experience that same peace. Amen.