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Taylor Quinn

12/20/2020

 
“I don’t care if the house is packed,
Or the strings of light are broken.
I don’t care if the gifts are wrapped,
Or there’s nothing here to open.
Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it.
Love is simply joy that I’m home.
 
I don’t care if the carpet's stained,
We've got food upon our table.
I don’t care if it’s gonna rain,
Our little room is warm and stable.
Love is who we are, and no season can contain it.
Love would never fall for that.
 
Let love lead us, love is Christmas.
 
Why so scared that you’ll mess it up,
When perfection keeps you haunted?
All we need is your best my love,
That’s all anyone ever wanted.
Love is how we do, let no judgment overrule it.
Love I look to you, and I sing...
 
Let love lead us, love is Christmas”

  • From “Love is Christmas” by Sara Bareilles.
 
My friend Jessi McKinnon with her husband Brandon and our friends Brad and Caity were going to perform this song with me live on December 4th but because of the rising numbers of COVID19 we decided to forgo our plans.  The song was a part of a set of songs that aren’t your traditional standards for the Christmas season: “White Winter Hymnal”, “Winter Song”, and “Love is Christmas”.   Did you notice that preceding “Love is Christmas” would have been another Sara Bareilles song called “Winter Song”?  Written in the mournful key of Bb minor, the singer grieves over a loved one that’s far away, unable to be close to her during the lonely winter months, “This is my winter song. December never felt so wrong, ‘cause you’re not where you belong; inside my arms.” In the midst of this sentiment, the line “Is love alive?” is reiterated over and over throughout the song as if she’s waiting for the answer she wants to hear but only hears the negative.  I imagine she hears a faceless voice answering, “No, love is dead and nowhere to be found” but she believes the opposite, “NO, love IS alive.  I know it”.  The song ends with her continuing to ask “Is love alive?”. 
 
If we concluded our song set with that question, it would have been a dismissal ending to a performance meant to uplift the spirit.  So, we decided to answer her question with “yes, love is alive.  Love is Christmas.”  Although love seems to be gone and we’re in for a long run of darkness and isolation, Love is here with us.  We may be in a time of grieving in our lives, having lost the ability to mill around in your favorite restaurant, have a drink with our friends at the local pub, or gleefully shop for Christmas gifts at the outlet mall, but that doesn’t mean love is unattainable.  It doesn’t mean that we can’t find joy, hope, and goodness in our homes.  We can soothe our aching hearts knowing that although our lives may be different it doesn’t change our value and our love for one another.  “I don’t care if the house is packed, or the strings of light are broken.  I don’t care if the gifts are wrapped, or there’s nothing here to open.  Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it.  Love is simply joy that I’m home.”  Love is simply joy that I’m home.
 
Will you pray with me…
“God, I’m so glad that love can be found right here in my home.  Keep my eyes open to see your love everywhere around me.  Give me the grace to grieve what I’ve lost, and give me wisdom to know that’s not the end.  Amen.

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    To the Writers

    of this devotional: 
    thank you for sharing 
    the stories from 
    your Advent and 
    Christmas journey.

    Your  courage 
    is a blessing 
    to others 
    and we pray you 
    will be blessed 
    by this as well.

    With gratitude,
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas and Intern Pastor Jeremy Hallquist

    Categories

    All
    Barbara Burandt
    Bob Burtness
    Cedric And Marlys Olson
    Conni Natwick
    Ellie Hallquist
    Jean Cook
    Jeremy Hallquist
    Jim Hecker
    John Natwick
    Karen Maher
    Kari Christianson
    Kari Osmek
    Linda Nielsen
    Lisa Sampson
    Lorie Schulstad-Werk
    Milo Christianson
    Myron Grams
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas
    Paula Donnelly
    Ron Stricker
    Ruth Lemke
    Sarah Chur
    Vicki Simpson

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  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Give
  • LIFE Groups
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
      • Council Minutes and Annual Reports
    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
    • Call Committee
    • Building Project Updates
    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • ERLC Staff
    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy