CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – There is no hymn that celebrates the awe and majesty of God like ‘Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.’
The music is from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, his masterpiece. The words come from Henry Van Dyke in 1907. He writes this about love, which is the second of the four advent candles that churchs will light this Sunday:
Loving Father,
Christ our Brother,
Let Your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Christ, God himself in human form, can only be considered our brother in the context of the brotherhood of man; that all of us who take on human form are brothers. And we ask God to ‘teach us how to love each other’. That’s a difficult lesson, which requires a Godly lesson.
We are told that God loves us. Surely he does since we are made in God’s holy image. And yet, we are unlovable. All of us have done things we aren’t proud of. The filth of sin us upon each one of us. We are cleansed through Christ’s blood and God’s grace. We don’t deserve forgiveness. God gives it to us as a priceless, free gift.
So, if as undeserving as I am of divine salvation, I’m told that I have to love others the way God loves me. Impossible. Many people see the world differently than me. We come from different cultures. We have different values. You say and do things that, sometimes, make me angry. There are many who feel the same way about me.
As we light the candle of love this week, I need to remember that those differences are small compared to our common humanity. I’m reminded that God loves even the people I hate.
‘Joyful, Joyful’ tells us ‘Teach us how to love each other; Lift us to the joy divine.’ I cannot have divine joy until I learn how to love you.
Chris Conley
I hope in this season of giving that you will give to the Gospel TLC in Weston. It’s a one-of-its-kind transitional living home for men who are trying to turn away from addiction. If you’d like to become a regular giver, I have a link here.
The Gospel TLC also has day-to-day needs, like breakfast foods, milk, eggs, sausage, and hash browns. Those items can be dropped off at their building near the hospital in Weston on Cross Pointe Boulevard.
Comments