A Season of Love

Christmas is a season of hope and joy and peace, of lights and giving and receiving and (hopefully) good cheer. But most of all, Christmas is a season that celebrates the love of God. Today as you celebrate the birth of Christ, remember the depth of His love:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The way Christ chose to come teaches us many things about the character and heart of God. Yet, as precious as it is to think of the tiny baby lying in a manger, it is just one part of a far deeper, broader demonstration of His love for us. As is often said, the manger points us to the cross.

And it’s not as if Jesus didn’t know what He was getting into. His sacrifice was willing. I love the way Philippians 2:5-8 puts it:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself unto death, even  the death of the cross.”

He took on Himself our human flesh, setting aside the praise and worship which is His eternal due. He willingly humbled Himself—even unto death—because of His great love.

Hebrews 12:2 gives us another glimpse at Christ’s heart in coming to die for us:

“Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

For the joy that was set before Him—the joy of purchasing your redemption and mine—He came, suffered, counting the shame as nothing for the joy which His sacrifice would make possible.

But as glorious and indescribably important as the cross is, I’m glad that the love of God doesn’t stop at the cross. With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the gift of eternal life with God in heaven, we have the love of God to enjoy today, even as we look forward to the endless day to come, when we will be able to perfectly enjoy and respond to the fullness of God’s love.

Dear Reader, no matter what this day holds for you, heed Jude’s call to “keep yourselves in the love of God,” (1:21) and choose to let His love be your true reason to celebrate.  

“Herein is love, 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