Scripture: I John 4:7-10
Today, on Christmas Eve, we reflect on the unique way Christians see God: God not distant but present. Today, we celebrate Emmanuel, “God with us,” as a vulnerable baby in a humble stable. God in Christ is not removed but deeply involved in the messiness of human life.
Today, we encounter a God who enters our messy world for reconciliation and redemption because God is love. Love is not just something God does; it is God’s very essence—pure, undiluted and unconditional. While our human love often falls short, God’s love knows no bounds and is at the core of God’s character and being. Love doesn’t keep distant from those love cares about. At the heart of Christmas is the descent of love to us, embracing our chaotic and dark world, and never leaving us.
Receive the gift of love given freely to you. Your past year’s experiences may lead you to believe yourself or this world unworthy or unlovable. And the truth is proclaimed this year as with every year: the baby born in Bethlehem is God’s love dwelling among us. Why? Because God is love, and longs for a relationship with you.
As Corrie Ten Boom said, “Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.”
Prayer:
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
Christina Rossetti, “Love Came Down at Christmas”
Christopher Ingram is our pastor, husband to Jeanell, father to Nathaniel, Isacc and Benjamin.