Good morning in this blessed Advent season!
Greetings in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)
As we enter the fourth and final week of Advent, our focus shifts to the profound theme of Love. This week is a time to contemplate the unparalleled love of God, a love that was made manifest in the birth of Jesus Christ. The Advent season culminates in this beautiful revelation of divine love, a love that not only transcends human understanding but also invites us into a deeper relationship with our Creator and with one another.
The love of God, as exemplified in Christ, is not merely an emotion but an action – a sacrificial, unconditional, and all-encompassing act of giving oneself for the good of others. John 3:16 encapsulates this perfectly: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse highlights the depth and breadth of God’s love – a love that brought about the incarnation of Christ for the salvation of humanity.
As we reflect on this divine love, we are also called to consider how we, as followers of Christ, are to embody and extend this love to others. This week, let’s explore the nature of God’s love, how it was embodied in Christ, and how we can live out this love in our own lives, particularly as we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
The Nature of Divine Love
The celebration of Advent and Christmas is deeply rooted in the understanding of divine love, a concept that is central to Christian theology and experience. Divine love, as portrayed in the Scriptures, is characterized by selflessness, grace, and an enduring commitment to humanity. This love is beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which states that love “is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” These attributes paint a picture of love that is not just an emotion but a deliberate choice and action, consistently seeking the good of others.
This divine love is not contingent upon human merit or worthiness; it is a gift given freely and graciously by God. This aspect of love is underscored in Romans 5:8, where Paul writes, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The profound nature of this love is highlighted in the act of Christ’s sacrifice, a love that is self-sacrificial, unconditional, and transformative, providing salvation to a fallen humanity.
The incarnation of Christ, God becoming flesh and dwelling among us, marks a critical juncture in the story of divine love. In John 1:14, the Scripture reads, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This verse illuminates the intimate and personal nature of God’s love, demonstrating a willingness to enter into the human experience, embracing its joys and sorrows alike.
Moreover, divine love is illustrated in the parables and teachings of Jesus. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus depicts a father’s unwavering love for his wayward son, a metaphor for God’s unconditional love for humanity. This story portrays the essence of divine love – a love that waits, forgives, and restores.
Divine love also calls for a response. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus summarizes the Law and the Prophets in two commandments centered on love: loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. This directive not only captures the essence of divine love but also our duty to reciprocate and extend the God’s love to others.
The nature of divine love is further exemplified in the actions of Jesus, especially in His interactions with those marginalized by society. His compassion towards the sick, the sinners, and the outcasts reflects a love that crosses societal barriers, offering dignity and grace to all (Mark 2:15-17).
In Ephesians 3:17-19, Paul prays that believers may grasp the vast dimensions of Christ’s love: “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” This prayer emphasizes the incomprehensible nature of Christ’s love, urging believers to delve deeper into understanding and experiencing this divine love.
In conclusion, the nature of divine love as revealed in Advent and Christmas is multifaceted – it is patient, kind, humble, selfless, and enduring. It is embodied in the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and calls for a response from us to love God wholeheartedly and to extend this love to our fellow human beings. As we reflect on the nature of divine love this Advent season, let us be inspired to live out this love in our daily interactions and relationships, bearing witness to the transformative power of Christ’s love in our lives.
Christ’s Embodiment of Divine Love
The life of Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate manifestation of divine love. From His humble birth in a manger to His teachings, miracles, and interactions with people, each moment of His earthly journey was a profound expression of love in action. Jesus’ compassion for those on the fringes of society, His healing touch for the sick, and His upliftment of the downtrodden illustrate the depth of God’s love for humanity.
One of the most striking examples of Christ’s love is His willingness to forgive and extend grace, even under the most extreme circumstances. This is powerfully illustrated in Luke 23:34, where, even as He hung on the cross, Jesus pleaded, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This plea highlights the immeasurable depth of Christ’s love and His unwavering commitment to forgiveness, even in the face of immense suffering and injustice.
Furthermore, Christ’s teachings emphasize the centrality of love in the life of a believer. The greatest commandments, as outlined in Matthew 22:37-39, state, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” These commandments capture the core of Christ’s message and mission – an invitation to deeply love God and to extend that love to others selflessly.
Moreover, Jesus’ parables often centered on themes of love and forgiveness. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), He challenged societal norms and prejudices, showcasing that love transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries. This story not only teaches us who our neighbors are but also how we are to love them – with compassion, action, and without reservation.
Jesus also demonstrated divine love through His interactions with individuals. His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-26) broke cultural taboos and exemplified a love that seeks and saves those who are lost and marginalized. His response to her story, offering her “living water” and a new life, demonstrates how divine love meets us at our point of need and transforms us from within.
In His final hours, Jesus showed love to His disciples by washing their feet (John 13:1-17), an act of humility and service. This act was not just a lesson in humility but also a demonstration of how love is expressed through serving others. He said to His disciples, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
Jesus’ resurrection is the culmination of His act of divine love – a victory over sin and death. In John 11:25-26, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” This promise is the ultimate expression of divine love, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.
In conclusion, every aspect of Jesus’ life, from His humble beginnings to His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, echoes the profound nature of divine love. As we reflect on this during Advent, let us strive to embody this love in our own lives, following the example set by Christ – loving God wholeheartedly and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Through this, we not only honor the life of Jesus but also participate in the ongoing story of divine love in our world.
Living Out Divine Love in Our Lives
As beneficiaries of the profound love of God, demonstrated supremely in Christ, we are called to actively live out this divine love in our daily lives. To embody Christ’s love is to translate it into actions, words, and attitudes that reflect His character. This expression of divine love goes beyond mere feelings of affection; it is about concrete actions – showing kindness, granting forgiveness, serving others, and extending grace, all hallmarks of Christ-like love.
Galatians 5:13-14 provides a clear directive for living out this love: “Serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” This instruction emphasizes the importance of service and compassion as tangible expressions of love. Serving others, particularly those in need, becomes a powerful demonstration of the love we have received in Christ.
Fostering relationships characterized by patience, understanding, and grace is another critical aspect of embodying divine love. In our families, friendships, workplaces, and communities, we are presented with myriad opportunities to show love in our interactions. Ephesians 4:2-3 guides us in this endeavor: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” These verses remind us that divine love is patient and forgiving, urging us to cultivate these qualities in our relationships.
As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, it is fitting to prepare our hearts to be conduits of His love. This Advent season calls us not only to understand and appreciate the love of God more deeply but also to commit ourselves to manifesting this love in practical and impactful ways. Living out divine love is a lifelong journey, one that transforms us and those around us.
Moreover, Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) provide profound insights into living out divine love. He speaks of loving our enemies, doing good to those who hate us, and being peacemakers – challenging us to love beyond our natural inclinations. This radical call to love mirrors the boundless, inclusive nature of God’s love for humanity.
In James 2:15-17, the practical aspect of divine love is emphasized: “If a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This passage reminds us that divine love is not just in words but in actions that meet the real needs of others.
Additionally, divine love calls us to seek justice and advocate for the oppressed. In Isaiah 1:17, the prophet exhorts us to “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Living out divine love means being agents of justice and righteousness of God in a world marred by inequality and injustice.
In summary, living out divine love is about embodying the character of Christ in our everyday lives. It involves serving others with humility, showing patience and grace in our relationships, and being proactive in meeting the needs of those around us. As we celebrate Advent and the birth of Christ, let us recommit ourselves to living out this divine love, making it evident in our actions, our words, and our very lives. In doing so, we not only honor the gift of Christ but also become beacons of His love in a world that desperately needs it. This is what is needed for us who anticipate and eagerly wait for His 2nd coming.
Summary and Life Application
In conclusion, as we observe this final week of Advent, focusing on the theme of love, let us embrace the profound love of God revealed in Christ. This divine love, which led to the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, is the foundation of our faith and the source of our deepest joy and hope.
As we move towards Christmas, let us strive to reflect this love in our own lives. May our actions and words be infused with the grace, compassion, and selflessness that Christ exemplified. Let us reach out to those around us with this love, breaking down barriers, healing wounds, and building bridges of understanding and reconciliation.
As we light the final Advent candle, the candle of Love, let it remind us of the ultimate expression of divine love found in Jesus. May our hearts be filled with this love, and may our lives be a testament to its transformative power.
We pray that this season of Advent renews in us a deep appreciation for the love of God, and inspires us to be bearers of this love to the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, who is Love incarnate, we pray. Amen.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (Revelation 21:20-21)