“Love with its sleeves rolled up”. Thank you for another way of expressing love as an action verb. On reflecting on my father at his death I described in his eulogy that he was “love in action” and your words capture his heart and life more deeply. Perfect time to read your reflection on this cold and bright morning as my dad met me outside on the porch watching the sunrise. He always sat outside on his porch drinking coffee and watching the day begin. Your words and the sunrise brought me moments of joy and sorrow for this longest day. Thank you for starting my day with love and the call to put it in action. You are lovely.
On this longest of nights, Michelle, it seems to me that joy and sorrow provide the chiaroscuro of Earthly life in which we may most clearly see God by our side, His sleeves rolled up, and the laugh-lines defining the Love that shines from His face.
God’s love with skin on. How grateful I am for those who show up when it’s inconvenient and love me through the darkness of grief. Who bring the bread and casseroles and send cards to remind me I am not alone in this pain. Who call to check in on me and ask how I am and really want to know. Immanuel, God with us. Love incarnate. I am blessed. Thank you Kate for always giving of yourself. Merry Christmas to you and yours and may God continue to bless you and keep you safe. You’re must too valuable to this hurting world.
Rochelle, I felt that. “God’s love with skin on”—yes. And you’re right, it shows up in casseroles and phone calls and all the things that don’t make headlines. You are so loved.
“Love with skin on”. I’ve used this term and variations for years. When I finally realized this is what WE are called to become, it was truly a eureka moment!
I know, I know-pretty simple to understand for most. But for me, thinking that God wants and does, take up residence in ME? A total game changer! Part of that, of course, is allowing suffering and pain to live there, too. We have folks like Andrew and Kate and many others to show how both can abide and still provide light to those around them. In my darkest moments, I always felt like I “should” be doing better, after all, wasn’t I a Christ follower? Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane showed me how to be a fully human Christ follower. His suffering didn’t negate the light within, nor did he deny the trappings of his humanity. Here’s continued to be “love with skin on”.
Here’s to all the light bearers, clothed in the likes of us! ❤️
Thank you! For one of the best Advent Devotionals I have ever read! I started using your series a few years back. You touch the Truth in a more personal and meaningful way than most main stream churches; bringing God's Love to our lives today. He walks with us and desires that personal relationship we all desire. A relationship humanity constantly falls short on.
These last few days are so precious—the quiet weight of waiting, the dim candles, the kind of love that doesn’t announce itself. I’m moved by how you name love as presence rather than performance, a God who chooses nearness over impressiveness. It reframes Advent for me as learning how to receive what shows up quietly and faithfully, and letting that be enough.
If the Lord so loved us all
that His Son was born a babe to die,
then we must hear the holy call
to love, sometimes not knowing why.
It's hard to love the ones we loathe,
MAGAT or Antifa thug,
but it's these we're meant to clothe
in nakedness, and then to hug
without a flinch, a scowl, a sneer,
without the veiled thought clearly shown,
for we're to prove that God is near
and that through us He may be known
and that we offer Heaven's gate
to the ones that we most hate.
So well said.
Thank you so much!
As usual, Andrew, you nailed it! May it be so in my life.
May it be so in mine as well, Susan!
“Love with its sleeves rolled up”. Thank you for another way of expressing love as an action verb. On reflecting on my father at his death I described in his eulogy that he was “love in action” and your words capture his heart and life more deeply. Perfect time to read your reflection on this cold and bright morning as my dad met me outside on the porch watching the sunrise. He always sat outside on his porch drinking coffee and watching the day begin. Your words and the sunrise brought me moments of joy and sorrow for this longest day. Thank you for starting my day with love and the call to put it in action. You are lovely.
Michelle, your dad sounds incredible. “Love in action” is a perfect tribute. Thanks for bringing him to the porch with us.
On this longest of nights, Michelle, it seems to me that joy and sorrow provide the chiaroscuro of Earthly life in which we may most clearly see God by our side, His sleeves rolled up, and the laugh-lines defining the Love that shines from His face.
God’s love with skin on. How grateful I am for those who show up when it’s inconvenient and love me through the darkness of grief. Who bring the bread and casseroles and send cards to remind me I am not alone in this pain. Who call to check in on me and ask how I am and really want to know. Immanuel, God with us. Love incarnate. I am blessed. Thank you Kate for always giving of yourself. Merry Christmas to you and yours and may God continue to bless you and keep you safe. You’re must too valuable to this hurting world.
Rochelle, I felt that. “God’s love with skin on”—yes. And you’re right, it shows up in casseroles and phone calls and all the things that don’t make headlines. You are so loved.
Dear Kate, I have enjoyed your Advent postings, and the action steps suggested. Thank you for the inspiration and inclusion of art.
“Love with skin on”. I’ve used this term and variations for years. When I finally realized this is what WE are called to become, it was truly a eureka moment!
I know, I know-pretty simple to understand for most. But for me, thinking that God wants and does, take up residence in ME? A total game changer! Part of that, of course, is allowing suffering and pain to live there, too. We have folks like Andrew and Kate and many others to show how both can abide and still provide light to those around them. In my darkest moments, I always felt like I “should” be doing better, after all, wasn’t I a Christ follower? Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane showed me how to be a fully human Christ follower. His suffering didn’t negate the light within, nor did he deny the trappings of his humanity. Here’s continued to be “love with skin on”.
Here’s to all the light bearers, clothed in the likes of us! ❤️
Susan, isn't it just brilliant? That we don’t just receive love—we get to be it, sleeves rolled up and all. Total game changer.
So brilliant! It brings tears to my eyes sometimes-for real!
Just checking - I’m not seeing the post for Monday Dec 22 yet. It says it will go live in 19hrs… 🤗
Sarah! It's up now :) Thanks for your patience (and your Advent-level enthusiasm).
Thank you! For one of the best Advent Devotionals I have ever read! I started using your series a few years back. You touch the Truth in a more personal and meaningful way than most main stream churches; bringing God's Love to our lives today. He walks with us and desires that personal relationship we all desire. A relationship humanity constantly falls short on.
These last few days are so precious—the quiet weight of waiting, the dim candles, the kind of love that doesn’t announce itself. I’m moved by how you name love as presence rather than performance, a God who chooses nearness over impressiveness. It reframes Advent for me as learning how to receive what shows up quietly and faithfully, and letting that be enough.
Kate- you are beautiful! Thank you🙏🏻❤️