LOVE CAME DOWN by Christina Rosetti 1890

SCRIPTURE:  "Greater love hath no man than this,  that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13    (Read John 3:16; I John 2:10; 4:15.)

As believers we first associate ‘Love’ with God’s indescribable love for us;  but, from my perspective,  putting ‘love and bells’ together, we gals, at least, think of Wedding Bells of young love, Silver Bells for those middle aged, and Golden Bells for those of us – ‘more mature’ and whatever bells are next.  We see them on cards, wrapping paper and hear them in music.  Most of you are not old enough to remember ‘The Bells of St Marys’, a song and movie from the Bing Crosby era.

            The Bells of St Mary’s, Ah, hear they are calling

The young loves, the true loves who come from the sea .
And so my beloved when red leaves are falling, love bells shall ring out, for you and me.

So, what is LOVE?  Media ads say we love ‘toothpaste’, ‘cars’, ‘programs’, etc.  A dear friend used to say, “Love is a feeling that you feel when you feel you‘ve got a feeling you’ve felt before!” Many live by that description.   When asked in a college class to define ‘love’ one of our daughters responded, “My Dad says love is a decision.”  I think most of us can agree with that.  Probably most of you know that some languages have more than one word for love.  The Greek writers of the New Testament used three:  eros, a sensual feeling; phileo, a friendship or brotherly love, and agape, lay down your life for another.

God’s love is indescribable! He created us for fellowship with Him, (beings who could CHOOSE to love Him or not.)  Even before He created the earth we learn He had a plan for our redemption;  ”Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” (Eph 1:4 NLT).  God knew that there would be a Spiritual battle between God and evil which would also involve us.

Jesus left his glorious place to become ‘God in skin’ like us, to show us the kingdom of his Father, and to experience all that humans do –including, rejection, desertion and  cruel death.  SO that we might know the Power of His resurrection and the Hope of eternal life with Him. 

Christmas gives meaning to that which is born inside us...a message of love and joy to the world.  Christmas is a time of renewal and affirmation of love, together with all that is miraculous and magical in life.  It is the love of God  through His gift, Jesus - that enables us to be loving.  He gave His Only Begotten Son to you, to me, and to each individual who has ever lived or ever will live - freely and unconditionally.

Christmas is that white-hot moment when LOVE/Eternity melted into Time.

**Now that is LOVE!  What does Christian love look like?  Deeds of kindness?  Seeing and responding to needs before they are made known? Remember WWJD? What would Jesus Do?  Go and do likewise. The words of Scripture, as well as hymns and carols give us instruction:

          

            They’ll Know We are Christians By Our Love       by Peter Scholtes

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord 
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored 
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand 
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land 
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love 

Christian love is acting like Little Christs.  “Love each other as I have Loved you.”  John 15:12

Soooo,  Where does the LOVE of God/Jesus register on your love meter?  You probably know His name, maybe even about Him.  Do you know Him as Savior and Lord?  Do you share His love with others?

Many are hurting today and wonder where God is.  He has not moved!!  Our culture continues to shut Him out of everyplace.  Advent / Christmas is a time when love is often shown more freely.  Pray that this Christmas time all people will recognize God’s love and presence and say with Simeon in the Temple, ‘Mine eyes have see the Salvation of the Lord” and accept his love and salvation.

Good Christian Men, Rejoice           (translated by John M. Neale 1853)

Good Christian Men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;

Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today.

Ox and ass before Him bow, and He is in the manger now.

Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with hear and soul and voice;

Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!

He hath ope’d the heavenly door, and man is blessed evermore,

Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and  voice;

Now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls you one be and calls you all to gain His everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save!