December 2021
Dear Auburn Family and Friends,
Greetings to you in this season of Advent! We have lit the candles of hope, peace, and joy these first three weeks of Advent, and give thanks to God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ. He is Emmanuel, God with us! This Sunday is the fourth and final Sunday in Advent when we light the candle representing love. God’s love is ours abundantly, a love most clearly shown in the birth of our Savior.
When I think of God’s love embodied in the baby Jesus, I always remember one Christmas when our oldest daughter was around six years old. We had just celebrated Jesus’ birth at the Christmas Eve service at church. Everyone else had left the building, the lights were all off, and the quiet hush of the winter air had fallen. As we were all walking out the door, Emily suddenly ran back into the dark church. She came hurrying back, holding the baby doll from the manger scene. She exclaimed, “I want to bring baby Jesus home with us!”
Emily understood the message of Advent and Christmas. Jesus, the Word made flesh, is always with us. God invites us stay close to Jesus and bring him into our homes and our hearts. As Jesus remains close to us, his love lights our paths through all the challenges and joys of life.
I’d like to share the verses of a beautiful Christmas hymn that captures the joy of Jesus’ love for us. The tune is the same tune as “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella,” another beautiful Christmas hymn.
Love Has Come
Love has come, a light in the darkness!
Love explodes in the Bethlehem skies.
See, all heaven has come to proclaim it.
Hear how their song of joy arises:
Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior!
Love! Love! Glory to God on high!
Love is born! Come share in the wonder.
Love is God now asleep in the hay.
See the glow in the eyes of His mother.
What is the name her heart is saying?
Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers.
Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel.
Love has come, He never will leave us!
Love is life everlasting and free.
Love is Jesus within and among us.
Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.
Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas.
Love! Love! Praise to You, God on high!
Words by Ken Bible
Music: French Carol Melody, attr. to Saboly, 17th c.,
arr. by Ken Bible
© 1996 by LNWhymns.com. CCLI Song #2060820.
May God bless you and your loved ones this Christmas season and always.
Merry Christmas!
In the Spirit of Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jenny