December 22nd – 4th Sunday of Advent: The Candle of LOVE

The Christmas story highlights God's love for humanity through the gift of His son, as stated in John 3:16. Throughout His ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of love. Two of His greatest commandments focus on this principle: love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). Love stands as the greatest of all virtues recognized during Advent and encapsulates Jesus' entire purpose for being on earth (1 Corinthians 13:13).

What Does the Bible Say about Love?

The Bible has much to say about love. Depending on the translation, the word "love" appears 100-300 times throughout Scripture. It makes sense. God is love (1 John 4). Scripture says, ‘They will know we are Christians by our love (1 Corinthians 13:1)’. Love led to the sacrifice of God's Son for our sins.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love this way: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

We cannot walk with Christ without love, and we cannot have the Christmas story without it. As Linus states in A Charlie Brown Christmas, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." 

Why Does This Matter?

We cannot be true Christians without Christ and love. Without them, our actions and purpose on earth are meaningless. We rely on Christ and His love to share the Good News of salvation with the world. Christ connects all the Advent candles, and through Him, we find hope, peace, joy, and love. Without Him, these gifts would be in vain. Christ stepped into darkness to bring light to the world (John 8:12). Because of Him, we can shine our light for others, demonstrating His love and revealing the true meaning of Christmas.

Read Luke 1:46-55 (NLT)

⁴⁶ Mary responded,

   "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

⁴⁷ How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

⁴⁸ For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,

    and from now on all generations will call me blessed.

⁴⁹ For the Mighty One is holy,

    and he has done great things for me.

⁵⁰ He shows mercy from generation to generation

    to all who fear him.

⁵¹ His mighty arm has done tremendous things!

    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.

⁵² He has brought down princes from their thrones

    and exalted the humble.

⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things

    and sent the rich away with empty hands.

⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel

    and remembered to be merciful.

⁵⁵ For he made this promise to our ancestors,

    to Abraham and his children forever."

Prayer of LOVE

Heavenly Father, the meaning of Christmas can be summed up in one word: love. You sent us the greatest gift of all that first Christmas, the gift of perfect love. Jesus gave up the glories of heaven to come to a sinful world and redeem His people. His love was so great that the fullness of His love could not be expressed from a distance! Love descended from heaven and was born of a virgin. It was not wrapped in a beautiful package and placed under a decorated tree.   Rather, love lay in the straw of a manger in a humble barn in Bethlehem. All Your love, God, was wrapped in the delicate skin of a baby and covered in swaddling clothes. Our perfect gift would later be encased in the scars of our sin and nailed to the rugged wood of a cross. This final week of Advent invites us to reflect on the magnitude of love made manifest in Jesus.

You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Messiah and Ruler of All. Yet, you came not as a lion but as a lamb. You entered the world as an innocent baby, destined to walk this earth in humility and complete love. In the end, you sacrificially gave your life as atonement for the sins of your children. Emmanuel—God with us, love embodied in the form of a man.

There is no greater gift than this: that a man should lay down his life for his friends. You willingly gave the gift of Your life out of love. Your righteous blood covered our sins. You redeem and restore us when we confess You as Lord and Savior of our lives.

Father, in this final week of Advent, fill our hearts and minds with the significance and magnitude of that truth. Thank You, Lord, for loving us enough to send Jesus. It is a love that we cannot comprehend. In His precious holy name, we pray. Amen.

Reflection/Discussion

• How has God shown His love for you in your life?
• What is the difference between Godly love and worldly love?
• Christ came to die for everyone, even those that are hard to love.  Who is hard to love in your life?  What are some ways you can reach out and show them Christ’s love?
• How does God’s love for us transform the way we see others?

Song: 

• Noel----Lauren Daigle

https://youtu.be/jEOHAlV-JVc?si=P22XUfkBxDg48Ev7