Advent-ures Part 4: Love

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13)

The theme for the 4th week of advent is love. God showed his extreme love for us by laying down his son, twice! First, he laid him in a manger. Gross, smelly, and not ideal for the son of God. But also vulnerable, weak, needy, dependent. It's amazing to look at all three of my kids and try to imagine Jesus at those ages. They need me for so many things. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. We often think of that verse in conjunction with calvary and the cross, and that is it's context. But the cross is intricately tied to the manger.

My favorite Christmas carols are the ones that not only involve the event around the nativity, but carry them out all the way to the cross.

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth.

I hear not only Christmas in "Hark the Herald angels sing" but also Easter! And here is where your Advent-ure begins. We love because he first loved us! (1 John 4:19) Our ability to love one another comes directly from God's ability to love us. It is not only inherit in our nature because we are created in His image, God inspires us to love. So when you gather with extended family, love. So when you walk into work, love. When you wake up with your family, love. This time of year is either great for love, or brings out the worst in us. Either way, love. Love because God loves you!

Humbly,

Dave

Advent-ures in Joy

True Joy is not dependent on anything external. No one can steal your true joy. No one can diminish it. It is a vital part of who you are and your perspective. Joy is the theme of the third week of advent, the first week that we celebrate the first coming of Jesus. It's the first meeting we have where God thrusts himself into our situation, putting on flesh, becoming man. And because he did so we can find the source of Joy. I am amazed at the stories in the Bible when people met Jesus and they left rejoicing. In other words, with their joy streaming out of them. There were others who left Jesus upset because they failed to really see Him, they missed out completely.

So who are you? Are you filled with Joy because you meet with Jesus and understand more everyday what impact Jesus, God incarnate, has on the world and on you? Or, are you constantly frustrated because you want to fit Jesus into your plan? There is a huge difference. When we truly encounter God, Jesus and His Holy Spirit we can't help but rejoice. So if you don't have Joy, and I pray that isn't true, it's time to start asking some big questions about how you, how we, encounter God.

So here is your advent-ure for this week. Let your Joy out! A good sign of this would be if people notice your Joy and say things like, "What's the deal with them, they seem so joyful?" Robert Murray McCheyne says, "Joy is increased by spreading it to others." It's backwards, I know. But you can only increase your joy by giving it away. Give it away. Make it noticeable. After all, God, the source of true Joy, sent His Son in the form of a baby for you! If that's not reason for rejoicing, I don't know what is!

Advent-ures in Peace

Are you still being mindful of your preparation for Christmas? That is what Advent is all about. This week’s Advent theme is Peace. When I hear the word peace so many things come to mind. Peace conjures up all sorts of images and ideas in my head. I keep hearing people talk about the need for peace, but these days it seems that it's more about America not being at war, rather than real peace. Some talk about a peace that they desire, for our country not to be in war, but that is a selfish kind of peace. Now listen, I am not making a case for war, just pointing out that just because I may not be at war, does not mean there is peace. Think about it. But I don't think that's at all the kind of Peace God offers.

Remember that the first two weeks of advent are more about the second coming than the first. When Jesus comes again, riding on the clouds, trumpet sounding, people shouting (both in exuberance and fear), a forever type of peace will follow shortly. I imagine that at first it may be chaotic, but then, peace. No more war. No more crying. No more pain. Heaven on earth. God's palpably tangible presence enveloping every nook and cranny of existence. It's a reality in which sin cannot survive. Peace to the fullest extent.

So what does that mean for us now? We can live in peace knowing that peace is coming. We can seek peace in every situation, as far as it depends on us. We can be at peace with God, He is the peacemaker, the Prince of Peace. And so, here is your assignment, your Advent-ure for week 2 of Advent. Make peace. If you are in a struggle with someone, a family member, co-worker, friend, or anyone else, make peace with them in light of God's mercy. If you are close to a "war-torn" situation, pray for peace and direction. God may want you to help make peace. "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:8) But ultimately, live at peace with God. Follow His will, His pleasing and perfect will. It is the precursor to all peace.