Monday: John 1:1-14
Tuesday: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Wednesday: Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Thursday: Romans 16:25-27
Friday: Luke 1:26-38
Saturday: 1 John 4:13-21
The phrase “all you need is love” was popularized by the famous Beatles song of the same name. It is an echo of the quest to understand and discover love that is one of the basic human drivers. And yet, in the English language, we are limited to only one word to describe both an affinity for pizza as well as deeply felt feelings for a spouse. In the Greek language, there are at least 6 words that reflect different levels of relationships and directions of love. That’s somewhat of an improvement!
The idea of love is often mixed together with the feelings we associate with love. And yet, feelings come and go. What does it mean to love and be loved? Who can love perfectly? So often human love is conditional. Pastor Tim Keller writes, “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God.”
In the Genesis narrative, we read of the beautiful intimacy between God and Adam and Eve. This unity of perfect love and knowledge was broken with the introduction of sin into the world that created hiding and shame. What has happened ever since could be summed up in how author Sally Lloyd Jones describes the arc of the Bible as one continuous story of God loving his children with a “never-stopping, never giving up, always and forever love” and coming to rescue them.
At Christmas, we celebrate the breaking through of God’s great rescue plan. John 3:16, says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” In addition, 1 John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”
God is love and his gift to us at Christmas is himself! He did not leave us to hide in our shame, but as the Master Artist, he entered his own painting to heal the mess his creation made from the inside out. To show us again what true love is by living that out among us even unto death on the cross.
As the famous carol asks, “What child is this who laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” There is deep wonder in the moment of the incarnation. Our mighty God lying in a manger, a sleeping babe, so humble and small.
If we were stood by the manger-side, what would our response be? Would it be suspicion, disdain, or indifference? Or would we kneel, our faces hovering in quiet awe examining every detail of the soft face of the Lamb of God, feeling the gentle breath of the Word made flesh. Would we gaze in wonder at God’s magnificent gift?
The carol goes on to declare, “This, this is Christ the King!” Christ our King is with us, to be love for us so we can be truly and fully known and loved and be able to love in return. May we receive the “never-stopping, never giving up, always and forever” love of God this advent as we gaze upon Him and are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Listen: “What Child Is This” by Phil Wickham, “High King of Heaven/ Jesus We Love You” by the McClures
Ponder:
- In the hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” Isaac Watts wrote the line, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” In a moment of quiet, place yourself before the manger in Bethlehem. Take in the scene around you, the sights, sounds, smells. In your mind’s eye, gaze upon the baby Jesus. Now place yourself at the foot of the cross, take in those sights, sounds, smells. Sit with the revelation that Jesus is taking your place, showing you His great love. Recognize his loving presence with you right now. Let your heart respond – feel, sing, pray. If you feel led, take this moment to give your all to Jesus in response.
- Make a list of all the ways God has blessed you or everything you are thankful for. Give him thanks for each one in prayer.
- Consider your closest friends and family members. Identify the ways in which they appreciate receiving love the most (see the 5 Love Languages). Sometime this week, make a point to speak their preferred love language to them.