Love: Bringing Nothing but Giving Everything
Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025
Dear friends,
Every Christmas in the forests of Provence, people tell the story of four shepherds who traveled to Bethlehem to visit the baby Jesus. The first shepherd brought eggs, the second brought a baguette and fresh cheese, and the third brought wine. But the fourth shepherd, whose name was L’Enchanté—the Enchanted One—brought nothing at all.
When the first three shepherds arrived at the stable, they presented their gifts and enjoyed friendly conversation with Mary and Joseph. They complimented Mary on how well she looked, commented on how cozy and warm the stable was, and praised the beautiful starlit night above.
After a while, someone realized the fourth shepherd was missing and asked, “Where is L’Enchanté?” They looked for him and finally found him peeking through the blanket hanging at the entrance to block the cold draft. There, kneeling at the manger, was L’Enchanté—completely absorbed, fully present, lost in wonder before the Christ child. Like a flag or a flame swaying with the wind, he had followed the direction of Love itself.
While the other shepherds brought material gifts and exchanged social niceties—both good and proper things—L'Enchanté offered something more valuable: his complete, undivided attention and reverence. What we bring to Jesus is our wonder-filled, eye-opening awe of Him and His Love.
We’re now in the fourth week of Advent, and our focus is love. For these remaining days of Advent, let yourself be captivated by His Love—it's the most genuine form of worship you can offer.
Watching and waiting in awe and wonder,
Advent Scriptures for the Fourth Sunday of Advent: