NURTURE OUR HEARTS IN LOVE: DECLUTTER

SUNDAY, WEEK FOUR: LOVE (CHRISTMAS EVE)

On this last day of Advent, Christmas Eve, we take another look around our heart-rooms. Have we made space for the Love of God incarnate in the infant Jesus? Or, as in the nativity story, do we have no room available? What might be cluttering your ability to love fully and freely? Do you notice any wounds that intimidate, hard feelings that isolate, prejudices that separate?

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I have this box of memories on the floor of our closet, filled with cherished cards, letters, and emails from loved ones. Interspersed among these are a few notes that were exchanged years ago in times of anger and hurt. Initially, I kept these as written confirmations that I was justified in having bitter feelings and in ending relationships. But I haven’t looked in this box for years, and I thank God that in each relationship, we eventually were able to share mutual forgiveness. To reread these now would only rekindle sadness, bitterness, or regret. Now is the time for the next step–to pull these notes and discard them.

The Advent season is a perfect time to remove these remnants from my heart and make space for more Love.

Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
(Ephesians 4:31-32)

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On this Christmas Eve, as we hear the stories and reimagine that holy night, may we come to the manger with open hearts to fully embrace this Christ Child, Jesus–and all the gifts of Love that he brings.

(The Advent season has been shorter this year; my reflections on Love will continue through this week as Christmas thoughts.)
Bible verse is NRSVUE, found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen