Love for Ourselves and Others
As we wrap up this Advent season of utmost expectation, we end with a week centered around love. The birth of Jesus is in fact the start of the greatest love story of all time. It was God’s plan all along for Jesus to be born for you and for me. He came to save.
John 3:16 ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
The truest love story that is still relevant today. No event will change it and no one can take it away. Many will deny it or run from it, but it will outlast. It's as true today as the day it was first prophesied.
If you think about it, the whole Bible is centered on Jesus and this great love story. God’s love was evident in creation. The Israelites were safely led to the promised land despite years of living in disobedience. Jonah safely returned from the belly of the whale even when he ran from God. David conquered Goliath.
There are so many more stories throughout the Bible that exhibit love. Jesus is the Messiah that all of the Old Testament points to. All of the years spent waiting and waiting for the birth of Christ was worth it. God’s plan all along was and is a picture of the truest love that we can or will ever know.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas in a few short days, may we be overwhelmed by the love of Jesus. Don’t forget that it’s about more than just a baby in a manger. It's about a baby turned Messiah, who died for us. A Messiah who is returning. What a reason to celebrate!
Amidst this real reason for celebration, may we rest in God’s love for us, and may we be ever so brave to share that love with those around us.
Luke 2:7-19 ESV
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
