Like summer snow

floating from a sun-filled sky,

draping airy-white on flowered fields,

Your love astonished me.

No frilly show,

no assorted-chocolate pledge,

no candy hearts or silver kisses

disclosed your care for me;

But unsparing,

thorn-wearing

cross-bearing love,

that opened hands and feet and side

to spill your heart for me,

To recreate,

inundate my longing soul

with giving, holding, accepting,

enfolding love for me.

Bob Hostetler, pastor, author and blogger from Ohio

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When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us,

not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.