Love Has Come

What is Christmas?

All the great Christmas stories, movies and songs try to share the meaning of Christmas.

The Advent journey ends.

Today marks the final Sunday of Advent; the roughly 40 days before Christmas (truly the 4 Sundays prior to Christmas). We have continued to reflect on the age old tradition of the Advent wreath and what it may mean for us in 2023-2024.

A new journey must begin.

We cannot just sit back and think we have arrived. As tomorrow morning comes we know the journey of celebrating Christ’s birth may be over, until next year, but the early church was less concerned about the birth than another journey, Lent. Ash Wednesday is only 8 Weeks away, February 14.

The journey of love.

I believe the journey we must always remain on is the one which is at the heart of Christmas. A journey of love.

John 3:16–17 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16–17 MSG

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

Love shines light into darkness.

The Gospel of John goes on to state this as much in verses 19. Let’s admit, our world is very dark. I will say more on this tonight, Lord willing, but it is.

Love asks: what is best for ________?

Love is not selfish. I saw this week the question that went something like this: love requires parents to ask “is this best for my child or for me to be a good parent?” Many times we put onto others what is not best for them but what really will work best for ourselves.

Love holds onto hope, peace, and joy.

The other candles of the wreath are held together with love.

Who and what do you love?

We must make a choice.

Jesus loves you!

This is the heart of Christmas.

We are to love others!

Even those who won’t get it. Even those who are our “enemies”. Even those who “don’t deserve it”. Even those who are just plain evil.

What is the Spirit saying to you? How are you going to live differently this week?

The questions at the end of each sermon. Don’t pass them by. But respond.