But my favorite definition comes from one of our teammates, Dave Babcock, who has lived in Vienna for 44 years.
- cozy
- comfortable ambience
- atmosphere of comfort, peace and acceptance
Gemütlichkeit is the musty aroma, the candlelight, the half-lit corner table with a vaulted ceiling in an ancient Gasthaus (inn). I am a romantic with a deep desire to hold my dear wife's hand, look into her eyes and know her love and acceptance.You really do need a whole paragraph to get a grasp of the concept. A single word won't do.
Our theme for the second week of Advent is faith. This is one of those words that is difficult to describe. It's like we're Germans trying to explain what gemütlichkeit is to our English speaking friends.
Faith is like belief, and yet more than belief. A key to understanding faith is recognizing that it is God-given. We don't muster up faith. It is God's gift to us in salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) and our faith can continue to grow and expand (Hebrews 12:2). Scripture reminds us that we are to demonstrate faith in how we live, it shows in our actions. James makes his famous case that "faith without works is dead" (2:26). So two main points:
- Faith is a gift from God. Are you receiving that in increasing measure?
- Faith is revealed in action. Are others aware of your growing faith?
As we live this second week of Advent, of our waiting with anticipation for Christ's coming, may we seek to grow in faith and demonstrate it to those in our community.
Hebrews 12:2
We [run the race set before us] by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.
Romans 10:17 Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news -- the Good News about Christ.
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