We light the fourth candle of Advent to represent Love.  God loved this world so much that he brought forth his only son through Mary to live among the people and share a love so great that it is beyond our comprehension.  This love is expressed so deeply in the Bible verse, John 3: 16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  You may not think of this as a verse that you read during advent, however, it is the ultimate gift of love that was given to the world, God’s only son.

This verse would take on an entirely different meaning if we took out the word, “love.”  It would read, “For God gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  That’s a great statement, and yet, when we add the word, “love”, “For God so loved the world….” , this verse now opens up a whole new meaning.  God didn’t just like the world, he absolutely loved the world.  He loved the world so much that he was willing to allow his only son to take on the sins of the world.  What a beautiful thing, what an amazing gift that we all can receive, if only we believe.    

Believe in the Magic of Christmas

You may see the word “believe” on holiday displays, Christmas cards, ornaments, and even in marketing campaigns for major department stores.  We are told to “believe in the magic of Christmas.”  That magic is not actually “magic” at all, it’s the love of the Holy Spirit coming full circle at Christmas time. That is the love that allows us to have this indescribable feeling of joy, hope, and peace that can only be found by loving God.  One thing that is very clear is that this love cannot be separated.  God loves us so deeply that nothing will ever come between his love for us.  Nothing can separate you from the love of God, this theme can be found in the Bible verse, Romans 8:38-39. 

 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

There are hundreds of verses about love throughout the Bible, but there is one section in the New Testament that is known by many as the ultimate definition of love, it is found in 1 Corinthians 13.  It so clearly outlines what love is and what love is not.  

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

This scripture is often read at wedding ceremonies, it reminds the bride and groom that love never fails!  When you marry someone you are proclaiming to the world that you will love them through it all, the good, the bad, the joys and the sorrows.  When the daily battles of life want to throw you off guard, and despair thinks it is victorious, just remember love wins!

 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

1 Corinthians 13:13

This Christmas, be the love!  Be patient, be kind, be gentle, be trusting, be hopeful but most of all, be loving.

As we prepare for the birth of Christ, I pray that you will know how much God loves you and that the birth of Jesus Christ is not only a miracle but the very essence of God’s love for you created in human form and whose life was given up for you and me.  All we need to do is believe in love!