Love, for pattern

'He that descended from above,
Who for your sins has meekly died,
Make him the pattern of your love;
So will your joys be sanctified.'
---Yeoman's Carol

We are used, I think, to hearing of how Christmas is about how much God loves us. And it is, it is. And Jesus personified that love for a world starved for it, personifies it still. But if we pack up love's lesson with the Nativity scene and the icicle lights, we lose.We limit our chance for transformation to a mere transaction, set aside an hour in church with candles and soft music, and go our ways for another year.
But in the life of Jesus is the pattern for life. In the love of Jesus is the path of life. We have the chance, through the imitation of Christ's love, to transform our hearts, and our world. What a shame to tape it up in a red and green Rubbermaid and put it in the attic with the dancing Santa. Love, Christ among us.
Love, for pattern...