Longing for Love
Scripture — Romans 1:1-7 (NRSV)
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the gentiles for the sake of his name, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Focus
Paul, in the introductory verses of Romans 1, has Nochebuena-type energy about the life and resurrection of Christ. He cannot wait to tell the world, via Phoebe who carries and reads the letter to the church in Rome, that the One who was promised by the prophets and prophetesses has arrived. That the One we have all been waiting for lived, died, and rose again! Messiah Jesus, whom he and his people have been waiting for, after a long and unresolved waiting, is here! I imagine the voice of Phoebe, reading Paul’s dictated words, opening the gifts he brings such as grace upon grace, peace upon peace. Not only that, but children are named as beloved, grace is available to all—the calling to sainthood.
Devotion
In Nicaragua, where I grew up, my childhood was filled with the thrill, joy, and lights of Nochebuena. Nochebuena means “the good night,” and it marks Christmas Eve in many countries of Latin America. The particular rituals and ways of celebrating Nochebuena vary by country, but one thing is for sure: in the Nicaraguan community, we go all out for Christmas Eve! On Nochebuena we make special nacatamales (dough with pork or chicken, rice, roasted veggies all wrapped in plantain leaves) for family and guests. We also go ahead and open presents at midnight and throw fireworks. Joy has come. Light has come. Salvation has come. Yes, presents have come a day early! Nochebuena is a huge deal because the waiting. is. just. too. much! What is better than two days of Christmas celebration, because why not?
Paul, in the introductory verses of Romans 1, has Nochebuena-type energy about the life and resurrection of Christ. He cannot wait to tell the world, via Phoebe who carries and reads the letter to the church in Rome, that the One who was promised by the prophets and prophetesses has arrived. That the One we have all been waiting for lived, died, and rose again! Messiah Jesus, whom he and his people have been waiting for, after a long and unresolved waiting, is here! I imagine the voice of Phoebe, reading Paul’s dictated words, opening the gifts he brings such as grace upon grace, peace upon peace. Not only that, but children are named as beloved, grace is available to all—the calling to sainthood.
Someone asked me once if I could sum up the entire gospel in one sentence, and I responded: The gospel is the love of God in the face of Christ. And if I could reduce the sentence to one word, it would have to be LOVE. Wherever you find yourself and whatever you may be facing, I pray for a Nochebuena that overflows with the blessed assurance that you are loved more than you can imagine. God loves you with an everlasting love and draws you with lovingkindness. May I gift you a piece of my cultural Nochebuena so that preemptive love rushes in today in all the dry and desert places where your body and soul need it: Love that comes from God our father and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Love that has set Love’s eyes on you. ¡Feliz Nochebuena!
Reflect
Where do you need the gift of love, grace, and peace in your Nochebuena today?
Act
May you celebrate the gift of God’s incarnation in Jesus, by also celebrating the gift of your incarnation. May you love others and let others love you today in ordinary and sacred ways.
Pray
God of life, God of love, God of self-giving love. May we pause today in the ordinary remembrance of your beloved son born so that he would live in our skin, feel our feelings, become acquainted with joy and grief. May we live in light of that love on this Nochebuena, no matter what the noises of empire try to drown. May we lean into that love and embody that love, that others would see that love flow through us and onto them. Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: The Gospel of Salvation—Paul’s Vocation (Romans 1:1–17).
Inés Velásquez-McBryde
Chaplain at Fuller Theological Seminary & Pastor, Preacher, Speaker
Inés Velásquez-McBryde is a pastor, preacher, reconciler and mujerista theologian. She is the lead pastor and co-founder of The Church We Hope For. She is originally from Nicaragua, a third generation pastor, and the first pastora in her family. Inés earned her MDiv at Fuller Theolo...