The Way of Love

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1John 4:7-8)

Love is patient.
Love is kind. Love is goodness. Love is faithfulness. Love is gentleness. Love is self-control.
Love knows when to speak up and when to stay silent.
Love does not envy or boast. Love is humble.
Love does not hoard wealth or live ostentatiously. 
Love does not dishonor others. Love does not mock.
Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 

Love is not self-seeking. 
Love does not seek to dominate over others.
Love does not exploit position for personal gain.
Love gives up advantage.
Love moves to the back of the line.
Love becomes a servant.
Love takes a knee and washes feet.
Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Love feeds the hungry.
Love cares for the sick.
Love welcomes the stranger, the refugee, the other.
Love clothes the naked.
Love walks the extra mile.
Love sets the prisoners free.
Love brings down the powerful from their thrones and lifts up the lowly.
Love fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty.
Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Love does not lie.
Love does not murder.
Love does not covet.
Love does not commit adultery.
Love does not steal.
Love demonstrates compassion. 
Love speaks the truth.
Love seeks the truth. 
Love honors the truth.
Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Love is not easily angered. 
Love does not seek retribution. 
Love acknowledges harm.
Love accepts responsibility.
Love means saying you’re sorry.
Love pursues reconciliation.
Love begs forgiveness.
Love forgives.
Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love sacrifices all and when all is taken, love gets up and love persists.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of love because we live in a world ruled by the desires of the flesh, where lies, idolatry, greed, fits of rage, and the pursuit of power have corrupted the Christian witness from one of love to one of fear.

This year, the fourth Sunday of Advent coincides with the Longest Night, a time when we traditionally make space for our grief. So, we also acknowledge our sorrow over the version of Christianity that does not love.

We grieve the corruption of the Christian witness in America. We grieve for the pain and suffering that have been caused by people who claim to know God, but do not love.

We grieve for our friends and family who have been deceived by lies and fear. We grieve the loss of relationships and pray for healing and reconciliation.

On this Longest Night, we light the candle of Love in the darkness because we know that the darkness has not overcome it and will not overcome it.

We light our candles of hope, peace, joy, and love and join with the communion of saints who seek to walk in the Way that leads to Life, the Way of Love.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 

See Exodus 20, Matthew 25, Luke 2, 1 Corinthians 13, Philippians 2, Galatians 5, 1 John 4.