Day 353: Advent Week Four ~The Spirit of Love

Titus 3:4-7
“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
 
Yesterday we lit the “Love” candle to signify the fourth week of Advent that leads up to Christmas. Over the next few days, let us reflect on the spirit of love that God demonstrated by giving His Son, the Greatest Gift ever given. When we focus our hearts on Him—to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves—it renews and changes our hearts from the inside so that we can reflect the Spirit of Christ to others. May we be a reflection of the Greatest Gift, not just at Christmas, but every day. How might we be Jesus “with skin on” to those around us?
 
“The most vivid memories of Christmases past are
usually not of gifts given or received
but of the spirit of Love,
the special warmth of Christmas worship,
the cherished little habits of the home,
the results of others acting
in the Spirit of Christ.” ~ Lois Rand
 
Lord, God, we pray that we would be filled with your spirit of love, not just at Christmastime but all year long. Help us to reflect You in our home, our workplace, our neighborhoods, and in our acts of worship. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen