We’re down to the last few days of reflecting on Christ’s first and second comings. So far we’ve looked at several stories that spoke about how Christ is the fulfillment of our hopes, how God prepares us to be a part of His plan, how people rejoiced in God’s plan and his promises, and how God actually rejoices over us. Over the next few days we’ll look at a few examples of love in the Bible, and especially how he pours out his love on us through Jesus.
Ready to join us? You can see the first, second, and third weeks of reflections here and the second week of reflections here. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to get a daily reminder. We look forward to reflecting with you!
Day 22: Christ’s Sacrificial Love
Read John 3:16; Isaiah 53:2-5
Jesus came to the earth out of love for his lost and hurting people. Let that sink in for a moment: God gave himself in human form so that we can have eternal life. That is the love on display at Advent: a baby, knowing even before he was conceived, that he would die painfully, chose to be born because he loved us.
How does Christ’s sacrificial love for you inspire you to love Jesus more?
Day 23: Ruth Stays With Naomi
Read Ruth 1:15-17
Three women were on the road to Bethlehem together. One was told she could turn around, and she did; but Ruth loved her mother-in-law so much that she stayed with her, even though it meant abandoning her own family and her hopes for a future marriage and children. God blessed her love for her mother-in-law so much that He granted Ruth not only a future, but her great-grandson became the king of Israel and her eventual descendent was the promised Savior of the world.
How can you show faithful love to your family this Christmas?
Day 24: Mary Treasures Jesus’ Birth
Read Luke 2:16-19
Consider Mary for a moment. Nine months earlier, an angel told her that she, a virgin, was pregnant with the Messiah. Then she visited her cousin, who immediately recognized what had happened. She probably expected her fiancé to break their engagement, but he too got visited by an angel. Finally, after carrying her baby within her for nine months, she gives birth to him in a strange town among the animals. After she lays her precious newborn down to sleep, a bunch of shepherds burst in, claiming that a bunch of angels had led them there to see her baby. “But Mary treasured up all of these things, pondering them in her heart.” Rather than Mary pouring out her love onto her newborn–which she did–God was pouring his love onto the baby–and her.
How have you seen God pour out his love for you? What should you treasure in your heart?
December 25: A Child Is Born!
Merry Christmas!