The Incarnation of Love: A Christmas Devotional

This is the 4th Sunday of Advent…

= Message: "On this fourth and final Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Love.

= God's love for us is immeasurable, and through Jesus, He demonstrated His love by coming into the world.

= As we approach the celebration of His birth, may we remember that love is the greatest gift of all.

= Let us open our hearts to this love and share it with others, for it is in loving one another that we truly reflect the light of Christ."

… Prayer

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=Today we gather to remember the birth of Jesus.

= We know He came into a world that was not friendly to him.

=King Herod knew that there was something special about this child… He was threatened by baby, born in stall meant for cattle

=A star had been given and three princes from hundreds of miles away were determined to follow it and bring gifts to this child.

= It took them 2 years traveling from Babylon to Jerusalem…

= This trip would not have been easy… This 100’s of miles of sand, with only a commitment to follow the “star” to the Christ-child.

= They faithfully followed and the world was changed that night in Bethlehem as the gifts were delivered to Christ-child born in a cattle stall.

In our homes

=Tonight as we gather around the warmth of the Christmas lights, the smells of freshly baked cookies, breads, deserts, or your favorite traditional meal.

= It's easy to get lost in the festivities and lose sight of the profound truth at the heart of this season.

= Christmas is not merely about decorations, gifts, or even the nativity scene; it is about the miraculous and awe-inspiring event that unfolded over two thousand years ago—the incarnation of God's love in the person of Jesus Christ.

= In the Gospel of John, we find a profound spiritual connection to this night.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This verse beautifully captures the essence of Christmas. ”

The Word Became Flesh:

=“The Word became flesh." These words are a mystery and in many ways describe the majesty of the incarnation.

=The eternal, divine Word, the very essence of God, took on human form.

= The Creator entered His creation, stepping into the brokenness of humanity with a profound and redemptive purpose.

=Today… As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us ponder the significance of this profound truth.

= The God who spoke the universe into existence chose to speak to us in a language we could understand…

= Through the life, teachings, and ultimately, the sacrificial love of His Son. Jesus, the Word made flesh.

=He bridged the gap between the divine and humanity, offering us a glimpse of God's heart and character.

Jesus…“Made His Dwelling Among Us.”

=This was "Not in a palace adorned with gold, but in a humble manger, God chose to make His dwelling among us."

=This choice reflects the very nature of our God—a God who is not distant or aloof but desires an intimate relationship with His creation.

=In choosing to dwell among us, God revealed His approachability and accessibility to every heart, regardless of status or circumstance.

=The incarnation is a powerful reminder that God is not a distant deity but a loving Father who seeks to be close to us, His children.

=As we celebrate Christmas, let us open our hearts to the reality of God's nearness.

=Just as Jesus entered the world to be with us, God continues to dwell in the hearts of those who invite Him in, offering comfort, guidance, and the assurance of His unfailing love.

“We Have Seen Jesus Glory”

= The shepherds witnessed it on:

= the hills of Bethlehem,

= the wisemen observed it in the brilliance of the star,

= and the disciples beheld it in the miracles, teachings, and ultimately, in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

= The glory of God was revealed in the person of Jesus—the embodiment of divine love, compassion, and redemption.

=The glory of God is not found in earthly splendor or temporal achievements but in the power of His love.

Jesus is… “The Glory of the One and Only Son.”

= In a world filled with temporary treasures and passing fame, the glory of Jesus stands unique and unparalleled.

= He is not just one among many; He is the one and only Son of God.

= Jesus is one just like the father.

= Jesus says, “He and the Father are one.”

= May our hearts be filled with gratitude for the gift of the one and only Son, who brings redemption, reconciliation, and eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Jesus is…“Full of Grace and Truth.”

= This statement describes the character of Jesus.

= His life was marked by grace, an unmerited favor extended to the undeserving.

= In His interactions with sinners, the marginalized, and the broken, Jesus embodied God's grace in its purest form.

= This is a season full of Grace—a time to reflect on the extravagant love of God manifested in the birth of His Son, Jesus, Emanuel, God with us!

= As we experience the grace of God, let us also embrace the truth that sets us free.

As we close…

=Here is a Christmas story for you

= Under a cultural-exchange program, Alan Abramsky and his family in Roanoke, Texas, were hosts to a rabbi from Russia at Christmas time.

= They decided to introduce him to a culinary treat that was probably not available in his country: They took him to their favorite Chinese restaurant.

= Throughout the meal, the rabbi spoke excitedly about the wonders of North America in comparison to the bleak conditions in his homeland.

= When they had finished eating, the waiter brought the check and presented each of them with a small brass Christmas-tree ornament as a gift.

= They all laughed when Abramsky's father pointed out that the ornaments were stamped "Made in India."

= But the laughter subsided when they saw that the rabbi was quietly crying.

= Concerned, Abramsky's father asked the rabbi if he was offended because he'd been given a gift for a Christian holiday.

= He smiled, shook his head and said, "Nyet. I was shedding tears of joy to be in a wonderful country in which a Buddhist gives a Jew a Christmas gift made by a Hindu!"

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= From time to time we hear someone say, "Wouldn't it be great if it could be Christmas all year long."

= Surprise! That was God's intent. That is why God invaded our planet and gave us the gift of God's Son. There is only one thing that stands in the way of celebrating Christmas all year long.

You and I.

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= As we celebrate Christmas, today, tonight and all year long may our hearts be filled with awe and gratitude for the Word made flesh, the Savior who made His dwelling among us.

= May we behold His glory, recognize Him as the one and only Son, and embrace the fullness of His grace and truth.

= In doing so, we not only commemorate a historical event but also enter into a deeper understanding of the eternal significance of Christmas—the celebration of God's boundless love made tangible in the person of Jesus Christ.