You Are Loved

I am writing this letter to tell you that you are loved.

You may be a friend, a family member, a fellow worker in the ministry, or a mere acquaintance, but this letter has come into your hands because throughout this year I have thought of you and prayed for you.

I do not care too much for the traditional Christmas letters where we silently compete for the better story; often hiding the truth of our lives behind whatever highlights we can exaggerate to impress. So this will not be a list of our children’s accomplishments, nor will it be a dramatization of our family’s failures. But I pray this letter `will come at exactly the right moment when the gift of its intention is most needed. The gift that I speak of is “belonging”.

Some of us feel very disconnected during the holidays. Maybe even especially at this time. We are busy, to be sure, but much of our busyness seems to distract us from the very things we say mean the most to us.

Have you ever had the experience of walking into a store the day after Halloween and were surprised to see Christmas in full swing? This year I just stood there wondering. “What happened to Thanksgiving”? The anxiety that there are only 54 shopping days until Christmas can overwhelm us while we are still buying ½ off Halloween candy… we might not have even put away our patio furniture yet! Somehow, we seem to allow all of the deadlines and wish lists and invitations to keep us moving at full speed ahead, while our hearts might be stuck in neutral.

This year, as I stood there wondering how ironic it is that the same America that established the holy day of giving thanks, had eradicated it from retail history,  I decided I was going to make every day from November 1st to December 24th, Thanksgiving.  And somewhere in that space of time I decided to let the people who I care about, know that they are loved…that they matter, and that I am thankful for their influence in my life.

The one true gift that I believe every one of us wants… is to really belong to someone else. Single girls want a husband to call their own. Childless couples desire a baby to take up the emptiness in their cradled arms. We want the space between us filled, and not just physically. We want, dare I say, we need to be loved and to have our love received. Most of us who have had our arms filled while our souls still feel empty, know that human love, no matter how sincere, is dreadfully limited. We still find ourselves yearning for more.

The season we are entering into is supposed to be a joyous rest in the blessings we have received, the hope of a better future, and the fellowship of friends and family. Even in the worst of trial and tribulation this joy can be found and experienced. But it won’t be found on any store shelf, nor can it be purchased at any price.  Sadly, this treasure can be missed easily in the hustle and bustle of tinsel and toys. It can also be misplaced in the routine of religious pageantry if we are not careful.

Love, the greatest gift, came as a baby, lived as an example, died as a hero, and rose as a King. God Himself took up the space that was between us and became “Emmanuel” God is with us. Think about that! God…is with…us! We are not alone. We belong to Him. And because of that—-we belong to each other. Through the sacrificial love of Christ, we now have the great opportunity to love one another with a word or a deed that will actually touch another soul with the reality of eternal belonging!  What a precious privilege!

I wanted to send this before we all get caught up in the frenzy of what the world calls “the holiday spirit.” I am hoping we will instead be lead by the gentle and patient Holy Spirit”! I pray that all of you know and experience the depth of the Abiding Love of Christ. He is forever near us. And in that, He brings us closer to one another… Let our light so shine in these days so dark!

May the Lord Comfort you in your sorrow, bringing you friends who are faithful. May He provide for your needs and delight you with His goodness. May you end this year content, with hopeful expectations for the year to come. May your heart not rest on the kingdoms of this world, but on the eternal promise of God’s unchanging Word.

May you open the gift of His love… and may His love, open up the gift that is you!