Advent - Week 4 - Love

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Week 4
This week we light the fourth candle of Advent Wreath. 
We light this candle to symbolize the gift of God’s love in Jesus Christ. 

Questions:
What is love?
When you think of love, what comes to mind first?

Scripture:
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

Discussion:
Where does love appear in this passage?
"When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus." What does this say about love?
Who in your life is an example of this kind of love?

Activity:
Write a note or card to someone who has shown you what it means to be a person of love or who you think is an example of God's love.  This would be an incredible Christmas to give to someone.

May the power of Christ’s love transform our lives.

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