Finally, we have arrived. The week of Christmas is upon us. Decorations are hung, the tree is lit and wrapping is in progress. The kitchen smells of sweet spices and savory treats. We do all of this because we love…our families and our friends, and our hearts overflow. This is the season of love!
Reflecting on love, the final week of Advent, the most beautiful picture is before us. Let me illustrate it with scripture:
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, wrapped in swaddling cloth and laid in a manager because there was no room—in the inn or in hearts. An angel of the Lord appeared in fields nearby, announcing good news of great joy for all people; a child has been born—He is Christ. Then the shepherds hurried off, found the baby and when they had seen Him, they returned praising and glorifying God for all these things.
You can find these things in John 3 and Luke 2. No matter where you look, scripture speaks love. God’s love for a people separated from Him because He is holy and they are not. He had no desire for it to be that way or remain such. Through the birth of Jesus, God made a way for those He loves to come to Him. He set all this in motion to make a way to be close to you and me.
As we have taken time to see HOPE coming in the fullness of time, receive PEACE like no other can offer and share JOY beyond our circumstances, we come to LOVE. Love is the foundation on which everything else is built. Without the Father’s love for us we would never know how to love others this Christmas season. Each time you wrap a present, bake a cookie or hold the door for someone whose arms are full, you show love that was first shown to you by One who loves you dearly. Take a moment and be like the shepherd—praise and glorify God for these opportunities.
He came in hope, offering peace to restore our joy through the ultimate sacrifice of love. What a beautiful gift we have received this Advent!
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