15. CHRISTMAS DAY: LOVE AS HOPE, PEACE, AND JOY–FOREVER

Wednesday, December 25th

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven…!” (Luke 2:13-14)

“For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.” In the last few weeks of Advent, I have had a deep and emotional reaction when I pray this last sentence of the Lord’s Prayer. I am overcome with the trusting hope that God’s loving kingdom will remain, even when these present days are upsetting. I find the sweet peace that God’s power will abide, the power that will strengthen us, help us persevere, and guide us to do the next right thing in every future day. Finally, I have the incredible joy–and my tears flow–as I envision the glory of God in bright and radiant love–for eternity!

The gifts of Advent hope, peace, joy, and love overwhelm me, all because of a tiny baby born those many years ago. The gifts of God in Christ restore my faith and extend my vision beyond any present darkness. Because of Jesus’ lowly birth, his humble life, and his servant heart, we can live in the wondrous, beautiful, glory of God, right now… and forever.

Yours is the kingdom…

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them and be their God;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” 
~ Revelation 21:3-5

Yours is the power…

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
~ Ephesians 3:18-21

Yours is the glory…

For it is the God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
~ 2 Corinthians 4:6

Forever…

Love never ends. 
~ 1 Corinthians 13:8

Happy Christmas, dear friends.

(Photo by Karen; all Bible verses are NRSVUE)