AIM
REASONS FOR FAMILY REUNION: It differs from family to family. Each family has its own mixed reasons.
BASIS
To give young children opportunities of getting to know COUSINS, AUNTS, UNCLES, and other RELATIVES. New spouses meet the members of extended family. It is usually characterised with such activities like story time, games, eating, drinking, photography, prayers, reminiscences etc.
Love came down at Christmas,
love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
star and angels gave the sign.Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, Love divine;
worship we our Jesus,
but wherewith for sacred sign?
CALL FOR LOVE
LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS
There are three BASIC types of fruit as far as LOVE is concerned.
The finest of this LOVE was given at CALVARY where Jesus died on the cross for our sins – Jh. 3:16.
This love is beautiful, holy, gracious and merciful – 1 Jh 4:19; 1 Cor. 13:1 – exemplified this love as made manifest in Jesus Christ Himself. Recorded in the spirit of Christ for our leaning in the spirit of love.
The finest of this LOVE was given at CALVARY where Jesus died on the cross for our sins – Jh. 3:16.
This love is beautiful, holy, gracious and merciful – 1 Jh 4:19; 1 Cor. 13:1–13 exemplified this love as made manifest in Jesus Christ Himself. Recorded in the spirit of Christ for our leaning in the spirit of love. (SEE ADDENDUM ON CHRISTMAS VERSION)
This is manifested in selfishness, hatred, anger, fear, hostility, resentment, bitterness, jealousy, unforgiveness, condemnation, criticism, rejection and many more.
These are all deadly poisons which can produce all kinds of sicknesses in one body soul and spirit.
Love forgiveness and mercy are interwoven and interrelated. Interestingly forgiveness is of far more benefit to the one exercising it than to the one to whom it is extended. It has spiritual, psychological health and eternal implications. – Prov. 10:12b, 1 Peter 4:8b.
This Christmas and beyond.
(i) Send a test (ii) Send a gift (iii) Pray for that person mentioning the name (iv) Greet the person if there is an opportunity of physical touch.
As we celebrate this Christmas let us aim at reuniting as a family and sharing love for our own good. Are you feeling unloved, unwanted, unneeded and worthless, are you hurt and sad, God’s unconditional love in Christ Jesus can forgive our sins, heal our broken hearts and restore our souls.
Calvary is a proof of how very much God wants us in His beloved family. There is a fellowship in the family of God which can meet the deepest needs of our lives for love, joy and peace. LET THERE BE LOVE REVOLUTION.
SONG: LET THERE BE LOVE SHARED AMONG US – Jh 13:35.
Let there be love shared among us
Let there be love in our hearts,
May now your love sweep this nation
Cause us o Lord to arise.
Give us a fresh understanding
Of brotherly love that is real.
Let there be love shared among us
Let there be love.
1ST CORINTHIANS 13 – CHRISTMAS VERSION (culled from an Email sent by a Parishioner)
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.