Advent Inspiration Journal - Love & Mercy
Fourth Sunday in Advent brings the message of Love
This post focuses on the Love and Mercy of God to us, and on the meaning of “Noel”
The Hebrew word for love is ahava, an intimate knowing and sacrificial giving. Love really is the answer. God knew that so he took action.
“God has shown us his love
by sending his only Son into the world
so that we could have life through him.
This is love:
not that we have loved God,
but that he loved us and sent his Son
to be the payment for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10 NOG
We are so loved!
“when God our Savior made his kindness
and love for humanity appear,
he saved us, but not because of anything we have done
to gain his approval.
Instead, because of his mercy
he saved us through the
washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us
new birth and renewal.”
Titus 3:4-5 NOG
The Hebrew word for mercy comes from the root word for womb – signifying the strongest bond of love and compassion between a mother and her baby.
“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua Christ.
God has given us a new birth because of his great mercy.
We have been born into a new life that has a confidence which is alive
because Yeshua Christ has come back to life.”
1 Peter 1:3 NOG
Adapted from Isaiah 61:2-3 NOG
Today, we celebrate and yearn for the Shalom of God to be birthed in our hearts, lives, community, and world. Throughout the rest of my Advent journal, Christmas carols are sprinkled in with the Scripture and imagery. As I was looking for collage fodder to include in the journal, I came across a pamphlet of Christmas carols printed for a funeral home. So many of us have lost loved ones during the Christmas season. The season and time of year can bring sadness and sorrow. I find such comfort in the messages and tunes of the traditional Christmas carols.
These pages show my attempt to tie the style of the carols into the rest of the journal, which has its challenges. I’m glad I’m doing it though. The journal can also serve as a Christmas hymnal.
Joyeux Noel!
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!
This Advent season I'm participating in Mary Brack's "Advent Words 2018" devotional and creative response. You can find out all about it on her website: https://www.foundonbrighton.com/. The pages in this post are entries in my Advent 2019 journal.Mary has generously made a calendar list of words and Scripture, and includes a daily devotional sent to your Inbox when you sign up on her website. You can also join her facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wordschallengegroup/ and post your journal entries and responses there as we connect with one another. It's not too late to sign up and join in the anticipation and celebration of Christ coming to earth.Mary is one of three of us who host a Living Your Word of the Year Facebook Group. Bernice, Mary, and I are excited about 2019 and the new inspiration coming soon. Stay tuned![/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]