Love Revealed

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Scripture
 
1John 4:9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.  10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.  12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Observation

The arrival of the Messiah was the revelation of God’s love to the world. God had continually been reaching out to humanity but in this act, there was completion. With the birth of the baby Jesus, new life was born here on earth and the hope of life for all. The ultimate act of self-sacrificial love was on display for all to see when God became man so that man might unite with God.

Through this the love of God is poured in and through those who partner with God and reach out to those around. Love revealed in the birth of a baby, and in our love for one another.

Application

It’s Christmas morning and many young children are rushing to the tree to see what may be awaiting them. The world will tell them that Santa Claus came during the night and delivered gifts to them. With wide-eyed excitement they will tear into the packages and bask in the joy of the moment. As parents we love to shower our children and grandchildren with gifts. The gifts are an expression of our love for them.

Today also happens to be Sunday. In much of the world people always go to church on Christmas morning — it’s a part of their tradition. At the same time there are those who are reluctant to go to church today because it inhibits the scheduled family traditions. But isn’t church the place where we would want to be on Christmas morning, as we celebrate the arrival of the Messiah? This is the ultimate revelation of God’s love to the world — that he would send his only son. Our love for God is revealed when we reflect that love back to God and to others. Making worship of God a priority on Christmas day is a way of showing our love to God. I can’t imagine anything better to do on Christmas day than to go to church and worship our heavenly Father who sent his Son to set us free.

The birth of the Messiah revealed God’s unabated love for creation. Let us soak in that love and become agents of revelation as we love God and others.

Merry Christmas.

Prayers

Lord, may I be united with you through your love. Amen.


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