Week four of Advent has come incredibly quick. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve! Can you believe that? Christmas Eve! It's hard to believe that this amazing season is almost over! It seems like the further we get into the Christmas season the busier things get, the more stressed people get and the harder it is to stay focused on what's important. That's why I'm writing this series, to remind everyone, including myself, how to stay focused on what's important and what Christmas is really about.
The fourth candle is for love. Isn't that what Christmas is really about? God is love.
'"I will tend My flock and let them lie down.' (This is) the deceleration of the Lord God. 'I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will shepherd them with justice." Ezekiel 34: 15-16
He sent His son out of love.
"For the Lord will not reject (us) forever. Even if He causes suffering, He will show compassion according to His abundant, faithful love. For He does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind." Lamentations 3:31-33
Jesus came because of His love for us.
"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Mary and Joseph chose to love baby Jesus and raise Him despite the difficulties they knew they'd face. And on and on go the examples of love in the Christmas story. What it all boils down to is the greatest gift any of us will ever be given.
"But God proves His own love for us in: While we were still sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
In fact He loves us so much that He's promised that if we believe in Him then He will never leave us nor forsake us. Which brings us to the second meaning, His presence. In Week 1 we discussed prophecy and how over 400 years before Jesus' birth Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would come and live among men. Zechariah 2:10-11
So He left heaven and lived among men. Philippians 2:5-7
Week 3 we saw the many angelic proclamations including the one about His presence in Luke 2:8-11.
Even the Heavens proclaimed His presence with a star in Matthew 2:1-2.
His presence was recognized and declared by Simeon and Anna in the temple. Luke 2:28-32, 38
And of course as we've already said His presence was motivated by love. John 3:16-17
So there it is, tonight as you see the candle burning and you enjoy the wonder of Christmas Eve dwell in His presence, rejoice in His love and extend it to others.
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