Redeeming Love

The song says, “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…”  We give gifts this time of year to express love for each other.  

What have you gotten?  Anything you really needed?

Another song says, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.”  Each of us has different ways of expressing love toward each other so it doesn’t always feel so sweet and sometimes can feel like something wholly other.  

How have you been shown love?  What’s sweet about it?

In our text for this Sunday, we’re reminded of the true love expressed in Christ Jesus – love that drives out all fear.  We’re reminded that this redeeming love is shown and known through Jesus.  The love He demonstrates is sweet but also much more encompassing as it is a 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love.  The Bible teaches that Jesus wants His followers to know and show this same kind of sacrificial love toward God, our neighbors, and our world.

I like to remind people that there are twelve days of Christmas beginning on 12/25.  We can still make the most of it by remembering that God loves us perfectly and demonstrates perfect love through the person and work of His Son.  That kind of love is transformational for us and the world!  That kind of love is what all of us really need in order to be wholly secure!

While the holiday season will soon pass, the Spirit of Christmas is evermore before the church and leading us to love like Jesus as we proclaim the good news of great joy for all people through our words and deeds.  May it be so for you and me through Jesus Christ our True Redeemer.

Grateful & Hopeful in Christ,

Jon