Love Came Down

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 & 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.

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 never 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). Love came Down….” … Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation….coming in the likeness of men…” Philippians 2:5-7

Jesus left his glorious Throne surrounded by angels to become ‘God in skin’ - like us; to share our joys, sorrows, hurts, rejection, desertion and even a most cruel death. He came to show us Love and the Kingdom of his Father, 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 will choose to ask him to be their Savior and Lord.

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

*Now that is LOVE!  What does Christian love look like to you?  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

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 seen the Salvation of the Lord” and accept his love and salvation.

Share God's Love Story by singing the old Carols that share His whole Love Story.

Blessings,

Gma