Love.

Week Four of Advent

John 3:16:  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Love is the heart of Christmas.  Because love is the heart of God.

God’s plan was always to provide a way for people to find a restored relationship with Him.  The events and people of the Old Testament point to His plan like flashing neon arrows.  

But it wasn’t until Christmas day so long ago that His plan became tangible to human senses.  

That day, God’s love came crashing into earth in the form of a baby.  Jesus, “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature,” (Hebrews 1:3) took on human flesh and came to dwell among us.

Just look at what God’s love has done:

• God’s love sent His only Son to us.  (John 3:16)

• Out of love Jesus died for us, even while we were sinners, a perfect sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 5:8)

• Out of His love, God offers salvation to any who believe and submit to His Son.  (John 3:17)

• God’s love promises those who believe eternity in His presence, restored at last to dwell in His perfect love.  (Revelation 21:3-4)

So as we celebrate Christmas, I want to offer this prayer up for you. It is the prayer of Paul for the Ephesians:

“That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Merry Christmas, friend.  

Shelby