Article December 24, 2012 Issue

How does Jesus' love unite us?

Barbara Vining

One thing is undeniable: Jesus and love are inextricably intertwined. This relationship is keenly felt during the Christmas season, when the nativity of Jesus is the reason for the celebration, and when love is the keynote feeling among humankind.

I’m reminded of Jesus’ promise that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Does this mean that the physical Jesus is in our presence when he is the center of our attention? No. But it certainly does mean that the Spirit of love that he lived and taught is in our midst, and is moving our hearts and minds to unite in loving one another as he loved us.

What a wonderful opportunity this season is, then, for people who love Jesus to open their hearts and minds anew to one another’s views on his identity and role—regardless of how divergent those views may seem to be—and discover what unites us in his love. I’ve found myself powerfully moved in this direction by a discussion in the April 2012 issue of The Christian Science Journal in which Chet Manchester, current President of The Mother Church, interviewed Michael Kinnamon, former General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, and Shirley Paulson, Head of Ecumenical Affairs for the Church of Christ, Scientist.