I recently read in an Anne Lamott book, “Love is hard. Love is…seeing the darkness in another person and defying the impulse to jump ship.” Now before you jump ship on this blog, let’s admit that there is at least a little darkness in all of us, and a goodly amount in most of us. If you don’t think there has ever been any darkness in you, perhaps you could consult your spouse, or children, or best friend, or loved one.

I think that is an excellent definition of love and that it applies on so many levels. I think that is what it means to be a true friend or loving spouse Of course, I am not talking about darkness that results in domestic abuse of any kind. But short of that, all our relationships have some darkness in them and if we truly love and truly want to be a friend, we stick it out, we don’t deny the darkness, we walk through the darkness with our friend.

But here is the most important idea. That is also the definition of God’s love for us. God sees our darkness and loves us anyway. The Bible describes God as “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” God does not jump ship in the face of our darkness. Instead, God sends the light. God sends Jesus, the Light, to light our way, to light our hearts, and to light our lives. This light came at Christmas. Love came down at Christmas.

Seeing our darkness and loving us anyway is God’s grace. Unconditional love, love without strings. Grace. And I pray that I may live “TrustingGrace.”

The Roman Catholic theologian, Karl Rahner wrote, “When we say, ‘It is Christmas,’ we mean that God has spoken into the world his last, his deepest, his most beautiful word, in the incarnate Word…And this word means I love you, you, the world, and human beings.”

I encourage you sometime in the next week to listen to the following absolutely beautiful meditation comprised of music and poetry put together by Jeff Johnson. It is about 28 minutes long. Find a quiet place, light a candle, and listen. I have already done so twice.

Good people all, this Christmastime,
Consider well and bear in mind,
What our good God for us has done,
In sending his beloved Son.

The Wexford Carol

God bless you all! A most Merry Christmas. I love you!
Coe