John, the disciple of Jesus, once said, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

Notice John did not say that God loves, even though he does. He did not say that God is like love. He did not say that God can be understood as love. He said God is love.

Notice John did not say that God is religion. He did not say that God is right morality or ethics. He did not even say that God is justice. He said, God is love.

We know that if God is love then there is no greater love we can hope to find. John’s words, God is love reminds us that no world power can overtake the Father’s promise. God is love reminds us that no impossibility is impossible for God. God is love, reminds us that the White House cannot replace God’s throne room, and Capitol Hill has been overcome by Calvary’s Hill. God is love reminds us that no matter how unstable society becomes the light of Christ can guide our feet to the path of peace where the joy of the Lord can be our strength, because God’s love has come to us in the newborn King and endures forever. 

The story of Advent reminds us that in Christ Jesus God has entered into our suffering, embodied our sorrow, and enabled our salvation. God is love and will always be love. You are loved, my friend. Don’t forget it.

~ Fred

PRAYER

Holy God, help me to never forget your love for me, my neighbors, my enemies and the entire world. Help me to remember that you loved me before I was born and will love me long after I pass from this life into the next. Your love for me will endure forever. So help me to understand what it means live in your love, right here, right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.