Love Came Down
I’ve been around long enough that it should not still come as a shock, yet it still does at times: I am increasingly amazed at the nebulous understanding society has concerning the nature of love. Our world’s constant fixation on - and yet profound misunderstanding of - what love is, is a study in contrasts. Despite our attempts to get closer to and comprehend love more, and even though every aspect of society from science, politics, philosophy, to the arts and religion seek greater understanding and expressions of love, it seems humanity has moved farther away and understands less about love than ever before.
As believers in Christ, we know we have been created to be in relationship. This is not simply having the capacity for relationship, but the fundamental need: We must be in relationship in order to be physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy. The world’s singers might opine what they feel is a rhetorical question, “What’s love got to do with it,” yet a follower of Christ understands that love has everything to do with everything and that it is not some “second hand emotion.”
We learn from scripture that "God is love." Love is not a 'what,' but a 'Who.'
Speaking of songs of love and Love that came down, did you know that Canada’s oldest Christmas carol was created by a Jesuit missionary priest, and in a Canadian indigenous language no less? Friar Jean de Brébeuf created this for the Wendat/Huron First Nation around 1640-41. Writing lyrics in the native language of the Huron/Wendat people, Brébeuf’s original Huron title is "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, He is born"). Soon translated into French, and then into English, it quickly spread throughout the world. Almost 400 years later, the “Huron Carol” continues to be recorded by contemporary artists today.
They had experienced the revelation of how the Creator (Love) came in the flesh.
In today’s vernacular we often hear how love is a gift from God. We hear that we are to receive it freely, and in turn, it is something we are called to share freely with others. At Christmas we are reminded of this central message of the Yuletide season. But why?
Advent reflections shared by Dan Collado, Mission Canada Indigenous Peoples Coordinator.
As believers in Christ, we know we have been created to be in relationship. This is not simply having the capacity for relationship, but the fundamental need: We must be in relationship in order to be physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy. The world’s singers might opine what they feel is a rhetorical question, “What’s love got to do with it,” yet a follower of Christ understands that love has everything to do with everything and that it is not some “second hand emotion.”
We learn from scripture that "God is love." Love is not a 'what,' but a 'Who.'
Speaking of songs of love and Love that came down, did you know that Canada’s oldest Christmas carol was created by a Jesuit missionary priest, and in a Canadian indigenous language no less? Friar Jean de Brébeuf created this for the Wendat/Huron First Nation around 1640-41. Writing lyrics in the native language of the Huron/Wendat people, Brébeuf’s original Huron title is "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, He is born"). Soon translated into French, and then into English, it quickly spread throughout the world. Almost 400 years later, the “Huron Carol” continues to be recorded by contemporary artists today.
They had experienced the revelation of how the Creator (Love) came in the flesh.
In today’s vernacular we often hear how love is a gift from God. We hear that we are to receive it freely, and in turn, it is something we are called to share freely with others. At Christmas we are reminded of this central message of the Yuletide season. But why?
Advent reflections shared by Dan Collado, Mission Canada Indigenous Peoples Coordinator.