“Perfect love casts our fear.”1 John 4:18
If all the world might taste the unconditional love of God how much greater would they know love that would change them and the world. Growing up seeing my parents sacrifice everything for my siblings and I, finding my soul mate husband and the moment I conceived my daughters, I experienced unconditional love. To love without restrictions or holding back love even when things seems to go in a different direction. Those moments caressed me like an a expanse red blanket of love that was food for the soul. We all have moments of unconditional love in our life that elate us and make us feel safe and at peace in company of loving and affable people in our life. As beautiful and comforting this love is for us, the greatest story of unconditional love and the true meaning unfolds endlessly, if we believe. It’s a summon, if you will, to rise above things that challenge unconditional love, things to which we feel lost, and yet set us on a journey of true love. It begins with any open heart.
We can all feel lost at times that can cause us to retreat. Which in and of itself may be necessary. What if in those times we pray for guidance and ask the real reason we find ourselves holding back and allowing circumstances to change the way we feel. We all have fears and road blocks, but it’s what we do and how we see them, that makes all the difference. We can see them as a way to grow, to forgive, to overcome something in us, to perfect us. This is the gift of Jesus. He broadens our scope to see beyond what is seen to what is unseen so that we may be renewed in love. When we focus only on the condition it can hold us back and cause us to lose sight, instead we could be cherishing the moments by placing focus on God sharing His love with us, to perfect us.
On Christmas this year, we watched as the snow gently streamed from the heavens and the bitter, cold air fell crisply on our skin. Gradually we glide into a feeling of wanting to hibernate, like the nature of winter. There is also a stillness that lurks in the air unlike the year before. My heart feels a weightiness in knowing somewhere, a loved one grieves alone, a compassionate person sits at bedside of the unwell, loneliness has taken a heart and the communion of faith, family and friends have ceased. And so much more. This is the reality of this holiday season one that has witnessed centuries of joy. On the surface it seems like conditions have taken over during a time of celebration and joy with those we love. These conditions can altar our actions and feelings. God gives us free will. He is always there, in all times freeing us from any chains that bind us. If we take a few moments to look more closely beyond the curtain of conditions we can catch a glimpse of His gift of birth and life for us. We can see the snow cold and bitter instead we can focus on still, gentle trickles of a white snowflake that creates a blanket to protect the earth, a heaven that offers refreshment and rest for the earth and people, a story that began with creation in Genesis making all things perfect and in harmony with nature and people. This is the secret veil we can pull back to witness the birth of Jesus in a time of tremendous trial, born in a meagre manger with sacrificing, loving parents and a star to direct our way, to save us and free us from from sins. Jesus is in all things “visible and invisible”. The seasons may turn but God’s love constant, and never changes. There’s great news that a child who has come to save the world has become human and has offered the gift of love to every human. To every one He has promised to fill them with the light of Christ. This light can burn even brighter in the darkness if on our journey we walk alongside Him.
Christmas’ unconditional joy and peace can find us when we focus on God’s unending love and we pray, we think on and we believe in Him. Blessed Theresa of Calcutta said, “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in heaven, and will help bring about everlasting peace on earth.”. This is adoration at church and is something I plan to deepen. We each have a unique path that beckons to guide us through revelations and hope. Contrary to the erred commercial phrase “you do you”, that misses the mark on grasping the goodness to perfect us. Instead Jesus teaches us how to, do for one another, love one another, share time with one another, sacrifice for another, forgive another, then you will live life to the full.
In Jesus, there was never and will never be conditions on His love when in the beginning a loving Father sent His only son Jesus into the world to sacrifice His life for us so that we may live to life to the full and experience eternal glory. What magnanimous unconditional love. St. Augustine of Hippo said, “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You.”.
May our Christmas be unconditionally filled with joy and love in all the moments offered and may we experience the great love God has for us all. May you be filled with the peace, joy and love of God. Amen.
Peace,
Claudia