Advent is the season of anticipation, waiting, preparation, and celebration. God is about to do something – something special, something unusual, something that only God can do. This month represents the advent of special and sacred things. This week we light the 4th candle of Advent, the candle of LOVE, also known as the Angel’s candle after the message delivered by Gabriel to Mary, “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus!” (Luke 1:26-38)
We cannot read this passage without reading the greatest Christmas passage of all, John 3:16, “For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON…”.
The first passage describes His entrance into our world, and the second reminds us why, because GOD LOVED! Imagine a world without God’s love. Imagine a world void of God’s Son. Imagine the pain, the hopelessness, the joylessness, no peace, Imagine.
Another wonderful passage to remember during this Advent season were the signs given by the prophet Isaiah to prepare us for His coming – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6); and again, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14).
Do we fully appreciate and understand the significance of God giving His Son to us? Do we fully appreciate and understand the depths of His Love…I mean, think about it, do we really? “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39).
If so, why then do we bicker? Why do we argue and hold anger against each other? Why do we fail to initiate forgiveness or restoration when that is what God did for us by sending Jesus? Why do we try to justify hurt, anger, or frustration towards another forgetting the words of Jesus, “LOVE one another AS I HAVE LOVED YOU!”?
The cradle and the cross are intimately linked – 2 sides of the same coin. They cannot be separated. They also cannot be celebrated apart from one another. They both serve the same purpose – the ultimate demonstration of God’s Amazing Love!
The birth and death of Jesus were not just meant to bring peace between man and God, but was also to bring peace between men, forgiveness, and restoration. God’s love was meant to be received and experienced, but also shared and given to others.
It is not just a nice gesture when we forgive, seek peace and share God’s love, it is a command, an expectation that we who have received so much will also give much as well. This is how we show that we belong to another, the King of Peace, the Author of Love, by imitating Him by sacrificing self in Love for others (Philippians 2). Christmas reminds us of His love for us but, it should also drive us to love like Him as well.
Christmas is upon us. In less than a week we will gaze into that cradle as the shepherds did, filled with awe and wonder at the mystery of God’s love. How could He the creator of all things love us so deeply, so unconditionally, that He would give His son to be born like one of us to bring salvation, joy, hope, peace, and God’s love to mankind! I hope it stirs your heart afresh! I hope it moves you, and I hope it drives you to action.
My prayer is that you have a wonderful, blessed, and joy-filled Christmas as you celebrate in your churches but also as you celebrate with friends and family. May the wonder and awe of God’s Son born in a manger fill your heart again, and may you enjoy a very Merry Christmas!
