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
The fourth Sunday of Advent is all about love. It is fitting that the Advent season culminates in love as we head into the final stretch before Christmas day. The incarnation of Jesus is all about love. Love was the motivating factor for God to send Jesus to earth to become the savior of all who would believe in Him.
If all we get out of Advent are the Hope, Peace and Joy from the first three Sundays, and miss out on Love, we've missed the point of this annual observance. Hope, Peace and Joy are for our benefit. Love is for the benefit of others. Without Love, we become self-absorbed and insular, content with our spiritual goodies, but not necessarily willing to share them with others. Love compels us to spread the goodness that we have received through our relationship with the Christ child to all those around us.
One of the Christmas traditions that has taken on a life of its own is that of gift giving. Originally, token gifts were distributed at Christmas as an acknowledgment of the gift that God gave humanity in the form of the baby Jesus (and, to a lesser extent, following the example of the magi who presented gifts to Jesus). Sadly, as time went on, this tradition became commercialized to the point now where most people no longer even know why they are giving or receiving gifts. This activity has become an entitlement rather than an expression of thanksgiving for what God has sacrificed for each one of us. Love has been replaced with obligation.
I am fairly confident that Jesus finds no pleasure in most of the hustle and bustle that characterizes the season during which we are supposed to be observing the miracle of His incarnation. I also find it rather comical, if not downright hypocritical, how so many Christians wage a crusade against this commercialism by crying out "Keep Christ in Christmas" while simultaneously engaging in the same frenetic behaviors that they claim to disdain. I have no hard data to back this up, but I imagine that if every Christian family in America gave all the money that they spend on Christmas to the causes of homelessness and hunger, these would be eradicated in no time. That would truly be "keeping Christ in Christmas".
Love compels us to do selfless things for those around us. Not out of obligation or guilt, but because we mirror the love that God has for each one of us. Christmas tends to bring out the best and worst in people; while many get caught up in the frenzy of shopping, decorating, and entertaining, many people also become more philanthropic during this magical time of the year. Unfortunately, that spirit of giving doesn't seem to last much beyond December 25. As Christians, we should be exemplars of love throughout the year, not just between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Jesus told His disciples that the hallmark of those who follow Him is love (John 13:35).
My prayer for each one of us is that our lives will be beacons of love, not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year. That is the best gift we can give Jesus.
Have a blessed week and a wonderful Christmas!
Pastor David
