December 19th, 2024
by Pastor Mark McAdow
by Pastor Mark McAdow
By Pastor Mark McAdow
Love is in the air! After all, that’s what Christmas is ALL about – the love of The Father for us in sending His one and only Son Jesus to rescue us from our selfish, sinful selves. John 3:16 states that truth very clearly. But do you know what 1 John 3:16 says? “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” How are we doing at that this Advent season? I’ve had the privilege of receiving some personal gifts and the joy of offering some this week, too. Giving is truly living. Remember, God gave His absolute best to us!
I have the privilege and joy of officiating this weekend at the wedding of Karber Sheppard and Isabela Barbosa in Waukomis. At their request, I’ll be sharing I Corinthians 13, the love chapter. That is the world’s best definition of true biblical love. I like to share my own summary too: Love is commitment, commitment to God and to one another.
Here’s a piece that is a take-off on I Corinthians 13 for the Christmas season. I thought it might be appropriate for us to consider today.
Amen and Amen! “We love because He first loved us.”- I John 4:19. This Sunday, Dec. 22, is Christmas Sunday. What a wonderful day to invite family and friends to worship with you at Willow View. We’ll also be worshipping together Tuesday evening, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – always a special worship experience. We hope you will be able to join us for both.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mark
Thank you for your generous contributions to our staff Christmas bonuses again this year. We feel very blessed by your love.
Love is in the air! After all, that’s what Christmas is ALL about – the love of The Father for us in sending His one and only Son Jesus to rescue us from our selfish, sinful selves. John 3:16 states that truth very clearly. But do you know what 1 John 3:16 says? “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” How are we doing at that this Advent season? I’ve had the privilege of receiving some personal gifts and the joy of offering some this week, too. Giving is truly living. Remember, God gave His absolute best to us!
I have the privilege and joy of officiating this weekend at the wedding of Karber Sheppard and Isabela Barbosa in Waukomis. At their request, I’ll be sharing I Corinthians 13, the love chapter. That is the world’s best definition of true biblical love. I like to share my own summary too: Love is commitment, commitment to God and to one another.
Here’s a piece that is a take-off on I Corinthians 13 for the Christmas season. I thought it might be appropriate for us to consider today.
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing homes and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has matching Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails,
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing homes and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has matching Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails,
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.
Amen and Amen! “We love because He first loved us.”- I John 4:19. This Sunday, Dec. 22, is Christmas Sunday. What a wonderful day to invite family and friends to worship with you at Willow View. We’ll also be worshipping together Tuesday evening, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – always a special worship experience. We hope you will be able to join us for both.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Mark
Thank you for your generous contributions to our staff Christmas bonuses again this year. We feel very blessed by your love.
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