When I was a little girl growing up I used to get on a van that was sent to my neighborhood by the Salvation Army in Kinston NC.  We met weekly and I was in a youth group called the “Sunbeams”.  I loved going to my Sunbeam meeting.  There was so much love and fun in the room.  One year I was able to go to summer camp.  It was my first time staying away from home for a week. 

I was scared of everything, the bunk beds, the food, the people, the everything.  On the first night there we gathered at the pit and in the middle was a big fire. They blew a whistle for everyone to get quiet and a camp counselor stood up and started a song.  She sang the hymn, “it only takes a spark to get a fire going.  And soon all those around Can warm up in its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love. Once you’ve experienced it, you want to pass it on.” This song still makes me feel warm and puts me in action mode.  Love will be my action and I will this season Let Love Win.

Christmas is a season of Love.  Let us make efforts to let the spark of love spread  this season. So many things seem to be happening at once.  Time is filled with swift transition.  Many things we don’t quite understand but have had to face this 2021 year.  As we reflect on our gains, our losses, our family and friends this Christmas.  Let’s remember to share a powerful emotion of “Love”. 

Love is an action word.  Our challenge to you is to love out loud on purpose.  In light of yet another year of different experiences and how we handle our yearly traditions. Let’s put effort into showing others how much we care by loving on them.  People are hurting and hiding it behind their masks.  Sometimes people say hurting things and even have actions that are hurtful to others.  This Christmas, focus on loving others despite their habits and actions.  Everyone deserves to feel loved.  It only takes a spark of love and it will ignite others to love.  This Christmas, Let Love Win!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Dr. Michelle Gooding

Pastor of Herring Grove