Advent Week 2

Ezek 34:15-16

Ezekiel 34:15–16 ESV

I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

Amazingly, you are God's treasure and if you follow Him, He will be yours. "Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10). "But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!" (Romans 5:8). No doubt you've already heard the familiar words of "O Holy Night" this year. Don't miss the truth of the final verse: Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. If you want to know how to love one another, look at the love that sent Jesus to earth to live a life of love and pay the price for all of our sins. It's all about love. This isn't a love of fancy words and impossible tasks. This is a love that says, "I am willing to love you no matter what." We can love because He first loved us.

Pray: Father, I realize that your mission is all about love. You love us so much that you gave us the most precious One in the universe, your Son Jesus Christ. This season is the season of giving, but it can also be tainted by selfishness, greed, and despair. Keep us away from the thieves that would steal the message and joy of Christmas. Surely you taught us to love one another.