The Candle of Love

Entering to the house, Hannah sat down quietly in front of the fireplace. She rested her head on her hands and tried to recall everything happening to her tonight -- Christmas Eve.

Hannah usually walked home slowly from school. But today she was in hurry to get home since she had to make some preparations for tonight event. Hannah had some smiles on her face on the way home because she was looking forward to a joyful celebration.

It was 6 o'clock in the evening on the twenty-fourth of December. When church bells in her town began to chime, there were many people of all ages on the street hurrying to the churches for a candlelight worship service. Hannah, a guest student in this town, was among these people. She came to a new small church near where she lived.

Hannah found a place where she wanted to sit alone and quietly. In addition, Hannah found a good seat where she can feel the rumble created by the magnificent organ. Within a few minutes, the church was filled with many joyful regular and guest members quickly. In the church, the great gold star was shone brightly. Through an open window somewhere behind her, Hannah could hear the winter wind rattling the ivy leaves and bending the trees.

While listening to the choir, a sudden solo voice sang out beautifully and tenderly and gave her goosebumps. Strange new ideas and emotions flowed in her mind. Soft tears slipped down her face. Yet, she felt in her heart a sweet glow. Somehow, she didn't feel lonesome this Christmas Eve far away from home. At this point, Hannah felt safe, comfortable, and sheltered. The lyrics of carols and the words of Christmas meditation painted the glorious birth of a beautiful Holy Infant in her heart and mind. When the choir was singing "God So Loved The World" song (written by John Stainer), she was touched by the lyric:

God, so loved the world,__ (2x)
that He gave__ His only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth, believeth in Him
should not perish, (2x)
but have ev-er-last-ing life.

For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world;
God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world_ through Him might be sav-ed.

God, so loved the world,__ (2x)
that He gave__ His only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth, believeth in Him
should not perish, (2x)
but have ev-er-last-ing life.
ev-er-last-ing life,
ev-er-last-ing, ev-er-last-ing life.
God, so loved the world,__ (3x)

Looking at the Candle of Love and the picture of the Holy Infant in the manger, God's love was flowing slowly into her silently that evening. She felt God's love. God loves Hannah and all of us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to earth as a babe in a manger. From that Christmas Eve, Hannah really experienced God's love that endures forever in her life. Would you like to know more about God's love? Please click here.