“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
(Although I wasn't raised in a traditional, liturgical church, I discovered Advent as an adult. I have found this ancient seasonal observance to be very useful in keeping a proper perspective about Christmas and what it's really all about. For the four Sundays leading up to Christmas I'll be sharing my thoughts about the four aspects of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.)
Love. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? It’s not about shepherds, angels and wise men. And it’s certainly not about presents and decorations and Christmas trees and parties. Christmas is the celebration of the greatest expression of love that humanity has ever known.
Who would have thought that the God of all creation, the Supreme Master of the Universe, would love us puny, dirty, rebellious humans so much that He would sacrifice Himself in the form of His Son Jesus, so that He could enjoy our company for all eternity?
1 John 4:16 says, “God is love.” If God is love, then we can only truly know real love by knowing God. And because God wants us to know Him, and consequently, know His love, He sent His Son in the form of a little baby.
Why a baby? Why didn’t Jesus burst on the scene as a grown man, as He does in the Gospels of Mark and John? Why was it so important for Matthew and Luke to write an account of the birth of Jesus? I think perhaps it was to show how frail, helpless, and needy He was. Just like us. And what greater expression of human love is there than that of a mother with her newborn child? She forgets the nine months of morning sickness and backaches, and the excruciating pain of labor. All that matters is that little tiny baby in her arms.
Like that baby, when we experience new birth in Jesus, God forgets about all the mess, aggravation and pain we caused Him. All He cares about is this newborn baby Christian in His arms. We start out needing to be spoon-fed the Word, needing our spiritual diapers changed when we mess up, needing to be comforted when we cry. And all of it lovingly administered by our Heavenly Father, who loves us so much He was willing to die for us.
Love. As you celebrate Christmas this week, let every symbol of our traditions remind you of God’s great love for you.
Prayer:
God of Love, words can never begin to express how humbled and how grateful we are for your love for each one of us. When we so quickly give up on those who disappoint us, you continue to hold out your arms of love, patiently waiting for each of your chosen ones to come home. Help us to remember that Christmas is all about love. Let everything we do and say be saturated with love, not only on Christmas, but every day of the year. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
