LOVE: The Fourth Wednesday of Advent
By: Jeremi Richardson
Tags: Christmas, Love, Advent, Wednesday

What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. But what I can I give him; give him my heart. — Christina Rosetti



For God so loved the world that he gave Jesus. His promises are for us, and his arrival makes straight the crooked paths that try to lead us away from his love. Today, life begins — fresh, anew, and fulfilled. Imagine how many in the world missed his arrival. They could see the star — they already knew the prophetic promises, but the reality of their not seeing in full blocked their view of the fact before them.



As we near the conclusion of this Advent season, what promises are we missing? What star is shining in the skies of our nights — leading us to the feet of Jesus? Are we following the star or tracking our preferences? Have you ever wondered why we hold on to things that God doesn’t want in our lives by continually picturing it in our lives and imagining how it would be and how we think it should be? We say things like: “If my business would only take off again,” “If we could have just had sang that song.” “If they would have only listened…” — just a few among an infinite list of questions.



You can train yourself and say, “God wants this for me.” What you are doing is making it harder for yourself to let go. Job 17:9 “…the righteous shall move onward and forward; those with pure hearts shall become stronger and stronger.”



Stronger and stronger. Say it with me: “…the righteous shall move onward and forward; those with pure hearts shall become stronger and stronger.”



The arrival of Jesus lets us know that to be active in God’s promises — you cannot be living in the past. Looking back will distract you from what is in front of you. The story shows that knowing the promise doesn’t equate to believing it. There may/will be unanswered questions, wishes not yet realized, fear of opinions or critiques of man but onward and forward is where you become stronger and stronger.



I’m sure those gathered around the manger felt the same thing. So, let’s join them and walk out of this mess and into His goodness. Let’s join their persistence and keep moving, ultimately positioning ourselves at his feet. Listen to the words of James 1:4: “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”



Stronger and stronger.

Not lacking anything.



Let’s trust again and resolve to keep moving into the fullness of his promises. He is leading us — and he desires for us to share the journey with him. Open your heart again and marvel at the teaching you will hear from his voice. His words may, at times, be correcting, but the essence of everything he does — is love. He is for you, not against you. He even has sent his spirit to guide you into all understanding, and this spirit also points to the depths of his love.

So, what can we give? Give our hearts.



Let Us Pray:

Thank you for being born. We are overwhelmed by this gift of love. May our faith be full and a joyous thanks in our hearts — a song of redemption, a song of hope and renewal. May we see the salvation of those we love. May there be food for the hungry, healing for the sick, protection for our children, and wisdom for our youth. May our widows be comforted, and may our sons and daughters prophesy the glory of your kingdom. May our seasoned experience dreams from God.

May we be marked by your love, and may our eyes be forward-looking toward the promise of your rule and reign. We pray for forgiveness and abundant life for those trapped in sin. Fill our hearts with your love and power. Fill our mouths with the grace of your kingdom. Fill our eyes with faith to look past realities and find ways to trace the work of your hands.



Protect our homes and marriages. Let peace become the cry of our hearts. Your love is searching, tearing down idols, and removing the sting of loss. Your love father is reaching into the night, and your cry is piercing the deaf ears of our resistance.



We surrender, we believe — we trust and receive you. Amen!