Advent – Love #101

One of my children stole a toy this week. 

We were at a friend’s house. My child saw the toy, felt the selfishness rise within them and then decided that no one would know if they snuck it in their shoe. 

But I knew. Well, at least later when the toy was found, I knew.

A confession came shortly after, followed up by a heart to heart, a hand written apology and a trip to the friend’s house for a face to face apology.

I trusted that our friends would handle the situation with truth and grace. As always, they did and the gospel was shared with my child from another parent. Oh, how thankful I am for friends!

In the end, our friend offered the toy back to my child, who looked at me for approval before taking it.

It was an undeserved gift.

After walking out, I pulled my child close and told them that that was a picture of what Jesus did for us. 

We deserve punishment because of our sin. But in love, God sent Jesus to save us. By his grace, we are forgiven of all of our sins. But not only that, God then gives us the gift of life forever with him. 

All because God loves us.

My child’s eyes were wide as they put the pieces together. God had given them a tangible example of the gospel. 

– – – – – – – – – – 

This is the last week of Advent – Love (Hope, peace and joy were previous weeks). And while I would love to give you a theologically thrilling blog, there is not much else to say other than this- 

God loves you. And in the fullness of his love, God sent his son, Jesus, to save you. And when you confess your sins and believe in Jesus, by grace you are forgiven of your sins and given the gift of eternal life.

That is love. 

Not the world’s definition of love, God’s definition of love. 

God’s love is boundless and sacrificial and without end. 

Christmas is not about what, it is about who –

Who is hope?

Who is peace?

Who is joy?

Who is love?

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit is the answer. 

He is the answer for it all.

– – – – – – – – – –

Before the Christmas season is over, I encourage you to meditate on this passage of scripture. Read it aloud. Write it down. Pray it. Breathe it in and let it wash over you. And worship our God, who is hope, peace, joy and love fully and perfectly.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name…The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love…he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us…from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him…Praise the Lord, O my soul.”

Psalm 103

– – – – – – – – – –

May your Christmas be full of hope, peace, joy and love that comes from God himself. In the hustle and in the stillness, may your heart and mind be ever grasping at how wide and long and high and deep is God’s love for you.

Merry Christmas.