Linus Understood the Light of Love

Sharing two entries from my Advent book, "A Candle is Burning."

The Light of Love

 Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, the week that represents Love. As we light the last purple candle, along with the other candles, the light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.  His birth brings light to the darkness of despair.

John 1:1-5

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

In the beginning, was God, and He sent His Son to became flesh, in other words, man. Jesus showed us how to put God’s love into practice, even dying to do so. God wants a relationship with you, just as you are.

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

 As we begin the last week of Advent, the waiting is almost over. Soon, we’ll celebrate the birth that changed everything, when God’s love arrived as a newborn.

When the candle of Love is lighted, remember God’s love for you and share it with others.

Linus Understood

 One of the most familiar Christmas traditions is the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. It has been almost 50 years since it first aired in 1965. Charles Schultz insisted on using the voices of real children, which was a new idea. He also insisted on using average children, not professionals. The CBS executives had serious reservations about this. They were especially concerned about Linus quoting from the Bible on network television and almost refused!

50% of the television viewing audience watched it that night and it got wonderful reviews. They related to Charlie Brown’s question, “What is the real meaning of Christmas?” The children’s play, the overly-decorated doghouse, and search for the perfect tree represented the false emphasis of the holiday then, and still happens today.

 Luke 2:12-14

“And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

When Linus quoted the Christmas Story from the Gospel of Luke, he touched the hearts of viewers. It is my favorite scene from any movie. You may want to share it with someone today..

 from my book, "A Candle is Burning"