December is always a big festive month in my family. My husband and I were married in this wintery month. So were my parents and my grandparents. Every week is a reason to celebrate love.
I remember reading an article about how a newly married man came to the conclusion that marriage wasn’t for him. He described how he had come to realize that marriage really isn’t about him — it’s about his spouse. It’s about laying down his life for her, just as Christ did for his bride. It’s a beautiful image: the husband offering his life in humble service — even if it hurts — all because he just loves her so, so much.
What a blessing it is to focus on love during Advent! This very month is the time we celebrate the most amazing act of love, straight from God, who is love (1 John 4:8), himself! 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 (John 3:16).
You are loved. So ardently loved that the King of the world came into the world as a poor, helpless babe only to die a most brutal death a few decades later. He did this for you so that you might have eternal life.
_I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10), Jesus says. So today, rejoice and celebrate, for you are loved! Rest today in his love.
Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for sending Jesus for my sake. Thank you for giving your only begotten Son so that I may be reunited with you. Thank you for the people you have gathered around me so that I may experience your love. Father, would you show me the way to love others like you love me? Amen.
Throughout This Day: Jesus loves us to the fullest and we are all called to do the same. Invite God to show you who he wants to love through you today, and how he wants you to do it. His answer might surprise you!
Does your spiritual life feel blah right now? Read Falling out of Love with God.
Photo Credit: Lucian Andrei on Unsplash