Some Advent wisdom...

I've been reading a couple of devotionals during this Advent season and the words of Henri Nouwen speak powerfully today:

"One of the greatest ironies of the history of Christianity is that its leaders constantly gave in to the temptation of power - political power, military power, economic power, or moral and spiritual power - even though they continued to speak in the name of Jesus, who did not cling to his divine power but emptied himself and became as we are. The temptation to consider power an apt instrument for the proclamation of the Gospel is the greatest of all...With this rationalization, crusades took place; inquistitions were organized; Indians were enslaved; positions of great influence were desired. Every time we see a major crisis in the history of the Church...we always see that a major cause of rupture is the power exercised by those who claim to be followers of the poor and powerless Jesus.What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life." - excerpted from "Advent and Christmas Wisdom From Henri J.M. Nouwen" (Liguori Publications)

That is some seriously powerful stuff. May I struggle at the hard task of love, in the power of Christ, today, and always. May His love overflow my heart and may suffering seem sweet in the light of His glory, may pain seem soothing in the radiance of His presence, and may loss seem gain in the knowledge of His holiness.