Reflections for December 27

The Christmas story is the Bible’s definition of love. God loves us and sent his son to save us. God will satisfy us with love. Our hearts are restless until they find rest in God. Christmas is God’s way of telling humanity that He loves us. The real love story of Christmas isn’t about a starry night; it is about a God who initiated a plan to save us before we even knew we needed it. You don’t have to earn love. You just have to receive it. The sermon brought up the point that the Bible never records a single word spoken by Joseph. He is vital to the story, yet he is silent. Though he was blindsided about Mary being pregnant and likely felt deep anger, he allowed God’s love to reprocess that emotion into grace and obedience. In Matthew 1:20-21 it says, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” This is Christmas, and we can celebrate that God loves us this much! For Advent, remember that you are loved with a love greater than a romantic, emotional love. You are loved unconditionally by God who sent his son to save us. I see this love reflected in our church family through the way you care for one another and the gifts you share. The love of Christ is for you. Reflections from Deborah Kelly. Share your reflections with deborah@rbcommunity.org and let me know your thoughts. Merry Christmas!