The day has finally arrived. After expecting and preparing, today begins the big celebration. We celebrate the gift… we celebrate Jesus. After being in captivity for hundreds of years, and then a period of waiting for hundreds of years more, Jesus, God’s gift, came to earth to deliver God’s people. Jesus came as a baby, innocent, fragile, and holy. He came as a King, longed for and long expected, who was mighty to save. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus that changed history forever. God brought hope, peace, joy and love to the world, through a baby. Everyone longs to know that they have someone who will never leave them, disown them, or desert them. Jesus came as Emmanuel, which means, God dwells among us. That means we are never alone. In the moment of our greatest joy, or the deepest season of despair, Jesus is always there. His Name means that He is always with us. What can know the peace of His permanent presence. God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God, and God in him. (I John 4:16) The God of love has come to never leave us, and to abide with us in love. Love is the greatest of all (I Cor 13:8). When we make an effort to cover everything in love, just like a fresh dusting of snow, beauty emerges.
Jesus has come…..it is Christmas. He will never leave us, and His love lives inside of us. What great joy and comfort that brings. We are loved with the purest, most abiding love available – God’s love. Let’s be as committed to loving Him as He is to us. Let us never leave Him and let us always demonstrate His love to others – throughout Christmas, and all through the year.
Advent Activity: Go to Christmas Eve Candle light service. AGF’s service starts at 6:00 PM. Light candle number 5, the Jesus candle, today.