Advent Sunday, December 17, 2023
Dear Spiritual Family,
As one of the better-known students of A Course in Miracles sang: “Love is everywhere, I see it. You are all that you can be, go on and be it. Life is perfect, I believe it. Come and play the game with me.” Even though the beloved John Denver stepped away from that incarnation many years ago, his gift in the chorus of this beautiful work stays with us.
As I (Rev. Steve) thought about what we might share together on this Third Week of Advent where Love is the theme, I heard, in my heart, John singing this song and how perfect its message is for this occasion. It speaks so clearly to the Love that not only is everywhere but is who we are.
When Jesus took birth in Bethlehem, love was very much in evidence – Mary’s love for her child, Joseph’s love for her and Jesus, the love of the angels presence there, even the love of the animals close by who no doubt felt the energy so poignant there.
I’ve often wondered why “love” was not the focus for the final Advent Sunday, which this year falls on Christmas Eve. As I pondered this question, it occurred to me that “joy” follows naturally from love as love follows from peace and in turn peace from faith – all steppingstones to a more authentic experience of Christmas. Through faith we are encouraged to forgive and find peace. A foundation of peace grounded in forgiveness and non-judgement. Such application of this understanding leads naturally to the experience of unconditional love.
In this true state, we feel the “perfection” of life as our hearts center on the Gift that Jesus represents. And interestingly as we receive him without reservation, we awaken the Christ, the Perfection, we are. From this place, we can allow the Gift of God’s Love to be given freely and fully to ourselves, to our families and friends and to our greater world. And this “game” is the Real Game where everyone wins, and everyone is blessed.
We love playing the Real Game with you.
And….We Love Loving You,
Rev. Steve and Mary