The Love candle gets a new name

So far two purple and one pink candle have been lit. One purple candle stands unlit, almost new. The meaning of this candle has been so cheapened over the years that I doubt we can truly understand its significance. This is the Love candle.

Maybe that is not the term we should use. Perhaps it needs to be the Agape candle. Let me explain.

In the Greek language, there are four words that are used to explain the four different aspects of love. They are eros, philia, storge, and agape. Eros is the passionate love; one you would have for a mate or someone you are courting. When you “fall in love” this is the love that is meant. Philia is the love of a close friend. Sometimes it translates as affectionate regard. It does not require romantic love, but it can help forge a romantic relationship. The next is storge. Storge can be considered a type of Philia, but for families. The unconditional love a parent has for a child is storge.

But the granddaddy of all these is agape. Agape is the purest and truest aspect of love. This is the love God poured down on us when Christ was born. This is the love that allowed Christ to offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins. This is the love that allows Grace to overcome our sins. Agape is the love that is represented by the fourth candle.

To call it just love is to oversimplify its import. When Christ mentions love in the Gospels, it is agape love, not anything else. It is the love that will cause you to take a bullet for even a stranger. This love causes us to offer ourselves as a sacrifice for people we don’t even know. This is the love that God shows us every day.

Agape isn’t easy. God’s love for us is so great, that He desires us to love Him. That agape love allows us to decide whether we will love Him or the world. If we choose the world, the same agape love will let us suffer the consequences, while God calls out for us to come back. Agape love will never force us to do anything against our will, but it will allow us to go beyond ourselves in loving others.

This agape love was what came down on that night so long ago. Mary showed agape, by becoming the mother of God’s son, regardless of the consequences. Joseph showed Agape love by staying with Mary, even though the child was not his. Christ showed agape by becoming a baby and growing among His creation, and then giving himself for our redemption.

Keep in mind folks, this agape love is what we are supposed to be practicing. To two greatest commandments are to Love God and to Love our Neighbor. The actual terms are to agape God and to agape our neighbor. Christmas is ultimately about agape. Something to think about.

Shalom my friends.

See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.