4th Sunday of Advent . . .

Anticipating God’s Gift of Love 

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love . . . Psalm 5:11-12

Anticipating God’s Gift of Love through the Kaleidoscope . . .

Look into the window of the kaleidoscope at the beauty and uniqueness within . . . and know God
is watching you in the same way . . . no matter how mixed up, broken, or shattered your life might
have been, God loves you! And when the Light of Christ shines through your heart, you are and
always will be uniquely beautiful to the Lord!

Christmastime is the season to give love. God, our Father in Heaven, and our Savior, Jesus Christ,
are the greatest example of love. God, who created the universe, loves you . . . personally. Think
about that . . . God loves you . . . you as a person.  

Even if you have spent your whole life running away from God . . . or done things you regret . . . God still loves you as only He can . . .  He cares about your life and wants to be part of your life no matter what.

Watch as the kaleidoscope creates the beauty from tiny pieces of glass . . . let yourself relax
your shoulders, take a deep breathe, and slow down for a few moments . . . and anticipate what
beauty is to come to you because of the birth of the Child . . . the gift of love from God that
brings eternal life . . . and think about the beauty God creates in this world because He loves you,
and all of His children, so much. . . . dearly loved by God . . . chosen by Him . . . be thankful. 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience . . . Colossians 3:12 

Thoughts for today & tomorrow . . .  

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God 
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord . . . Romans 8:39 

God’s love is so much more than the warm fuzzy feeling we connect with the word “love.” If we are honest with ourselves, the word love gets tossed around loosely until it has no relationship to the kind of love God and Christ have
for you or me.  

It’s a rather haphazard use of the word—you love your favorite sports team, love this or that food, love a television
show or film, love this, love that . . . but is it truly love?  

Christ, as our example of perfect love, loved you so much that He sacrificed everything, including His own life, for your benefit. He was so committed to seeing your relationship with the Father restored that He sacrificed Himself on a cross. 

When you turn to God for protection, He will surround you with His shield of love . . . a love that is a powerful force, protecting and comforting you . . . flooding your mind with a sense of peace and comfort. 

Think about that for a moment . . . let the blessing of that reality sink in. God, who came to earth as Jesus, loves you immeasurably. The love of Jesus . . . His life, His death for your sins, and His resurrection, overcoming death so that
you might also overcome death . . . the perfect love of Jesus. 

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 

Reflections of Love . . .  

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings . . . Psalm 36:7 

Find that scrap of paper again, an index card, or journal . . . Write down, doodle about, or just think about this . . .

“You do not deserve God’s love. No one does.
But the amazing news is that He loves you anyway.”

How does that make you feel? . . . deep down? . . . in your heart and soul? GOD LOVES YOU ANYWAY!!  

Does it make you smile? . . . Does it feel like a warm hug? . . . Does it begin to break down walls and barriers that have been building for a very long time?

Whatever feelings and emotions have bubbled up, you are worthy of God’s love!! 

This is grace . . . God’s grace. God’s love is a precious gift all should treasure. 

You cannot be a Christian without Christ and without love. Otherwise, your efforts and labors, and your purpose on earth are for nothing. Through Him, you can have hope, peace, joy, and love. Christ stepped down into darkness to
be the Light of the world. Through Christ, with God’s love, you can be a light for others, showing them the true
meaning of Christmas. 

Remember to pray . . .  

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love 
and Christ’s perseverance . . . 2 Thessalonians 3:5 

Take a few moments of silence and imagine God’s love gently shielding you from the stresses, chaos, hectic rush,
and unplanned interruptions we all tend to let take control of our lives this time of year. 

God offers His love freely . . . what a beautiful gift. And God wants to have a relationship with you . . . a loving
relationship forever. 

Ask God to guide you and inspire you . . . to build a deeper connection and bond with Him. Then let the love of God
help you through the day and week to come.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all . . . 2 Corinthians 13:14

 Anticipate God’s Gift of The Light . . . Choose Love!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA6N2uW7deo&t=2s