God’s Love: The True Meaning of Christmas
By Tammy Fleming
Kyiv, Ukraine
Our Bible text for this first devotional of our Advent series is John 5:16-47 and 1 John 4:9. (You may want to take a moment to read that in your Bible before continuing.)
Derived from the Latin adventus, “advent” is a translation of the Greek word, parousia, which refers to the coming of the Christ – both His coming in flesh at His birth in Bethlehem and His second coming at the end of all things. It is no wonder, perhaps, that the celebration of Jesus’ birth expanded into a holy season -- what an event to celebrate! The single most pivotal moment, the most extraordinary, significant event in human history was this miraculous insertion of the Creator God Almighty Himself into human history as an ordinary man.
There is nothing like this in any other world religion. No holy “God” would ever stoop so low as to not only walk among common people, but to trap Himself in an ordinary human body and lifespan. It’s an earth-shattering idea. Why would the Most High, Yahweh, El Shaddai, the God of Gods, do such a thing?
GOD’S LOVE FOR THE WORLD
Most of us could probably perfectly recite the oft-quoted Bible verse about God’s love: John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. . . ”
Just stop for a moment and think about all the things that are wrong with the world, from your perspective. (On my personal list of complaints for God: corrupt politicians and governments in various places; COVID-19 and all the pain and loss and trouble resulting from the pandemic; a less-than-ideal church environment; the discomfort of aging; and the list goes on.)
All these oppressive circumstances are what Jesus’ birth potentially upends. It’s not hard for God to love the world. It’s not hard for Him to love you or me or any political leader or person of any color or lack of color or sexual orientation, or liar or leper or addict or demon-possessed or ignorant self-righteous religious person. Proverbs 8:30 reveals to us that God, in the Spirit of wisdom, was “rejoicing in the whole world and delighting in mankind” at creation. Being all-knowing, God rejoiced and delighted in us then, and I believe He does so even to this day, since our sins and struggles are no surprise to Him. He knew and knows what we get up to. His love for us remains undimmed.
If ever you doubt God’s ability to love you or anyone else you know, remember that He is nothing like us. (Psalm 50:21) Remember that God loved and brought greatness out of the lives of people such as the patriarch Abraham (who was too old); Jacob (who was a liar); Leah (who was ugly); Joseph (who was abused); Moses and the apostle Paul (guilty of murder); King David (a murderer and adulterer); Gideon (who was afraid); Rahab (a prostitute); Jeremiah and Timothy (both too young); Elijah (depressed and suicidal); Jonah (who ran away from God); Mary Magdalene (who was demon-possessed); the Samaritan woman (who had several failed marriages); Zacchaeus (who was too small); Timothy (who was ill); and Lazarus – who was dead.1 Nothing you can possibly do or imagine could ever cause God to stop loving you. (Romans 8:35-39)
GOD’S LOVE SENT JESUS
There’s an amazing Ted-talk-like speech of Jesus’ in John chapter five – our Bible text for this devotional. In this keynote speech of a lifetime, Jesus tells us that God’s love “is the heart of everything. It is this love between the Father and the Son ‘that moves the sun and the other stars’ (Dante, The Divine Comedy: Paradise 33.145). God's love for the world (John 3:16) leads Him to send the Son so we may be able to share through the Spirit in the Father's love for the Son (John 16:27; John 17:23). This eternal relationship is the source of Jesus' activity.”2 Jesus could have exercised His human freewill at any time, and not been entirely submissive to His Father’s will and plan – which, we all know, included a gruesome, early death, preceded by betrayal and torture. The fact that Jesus was aware of this, years ahead of time, and still He never wavered in His trust for God, is amazing. It’s one of the many reasons I worship Him with ever-increasing appreciation as the years go on.
God’s love sent Jesus to earth to offer us eternal life and an eternal place in this holy love-relationship with God our Father. He knew we would struggle (as many of us do) to believe that we are lovable. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus says; twice, because He knew we would doubt. He twice mentions our amazement, because it is unbelievable, the message God’s love sent, through Jesus to us:
“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.” (vv19-20)
What greater things? What’s so amazing?
That God is going to prove to me, through Jesus’ advent and life and death and resurrection, that He loves me exactly the way He loves Jesus:
“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.” (v21)
To ME! Eternal life and freedom from guilt and everything that oppresses me is being offered to ME!
“Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father.” (vv 22-23).
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (v24)
GOD’S LOVE IS CHRISTMAS
If you are a baptized disciple of Jesus Christ,3 then you have crossed over from death to life. It is a thing already done. This is the real magic of Christmas, the most amazing Christmas miracle that is ours every single day of our lives.
I have two grown children and this Christmas will be the first since they were born that we will not spend Christmas Day with at least one of them. Because we have chosen to travel (God willing, and if international borders remain open) in order to spend some weeks in January caring for my 92-year-old mother-in-law, we will spend Christmas Day 2020 in isolation, in quarantine, in Canada. Prayerfully we will emerge from our 14-day quarantine virus-free, and will then be able to give my brother-in-law a bit of a break, who is Mimi’s nearly full-time caregiver. So many of our cherished Christmas traditions will not be accessible this year – our greatest loss, of course, being the time with our kids.
I acknowledge that that is a big deal. I am sad that Christmas 2020 is in quarantine. At the very same time, I feel like my appreciation for God’s love for myself and for all of us, is growing. It’s almost sweeter against the backdrop of this year’s circumstances. I don’t know if we’ll have snow, or Christmas dinner, or decorations in our room, or if we’ll exchange gifts, but the real magic of Christmas is ours for sure: God’s amazing, eternal gift of true life and unfailing love.
Questions for Reflection:
- When you think of God’s love for the whole world; what amazes you?
- When you think of God’s love for you personally; what amazes you?
- As we enter the busy holiday season, in what way can you make sure that God’s love stays on your heart and mind?
1https://jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com/before-you-say-you-39-re-not-qualified/
2https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/ivp-nt/Jesus-Delivers-Keynote-Address
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/ivp-nt/Jesus-Delivers-Keynote-Address
3 If you’re not sure, or you have doubts, and you don’t feel like you have anyone nearby you can talk to about this, please reach out to us here: womensserviceteam@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you.
Other resources used to create this article:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-history-of-advent/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgical_year
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/how-december-25-became-christmas/
30 Comments
Dec 20, 2020, 7:42:00 PM
Caryn McLeod - Thank you Tammy! These thoughts are true and precious! I pray this Christmas brings you some very special memories in spite of the challenges and not being to be together with your beloved children. I love and appreciate your sentiments and your heart!
Dec 17, 2020, 10:54:45 AM
Sue Whitsitt - Thank you very much for developing these devotionals for and sharing them with all congregations. God has given you a gift and you are sharing it with us. That is a special Christmas gift to us from God to draw us and the women in our congregations closer to Him and Jesus.
Dec 16, 2020, 3:53:25 AM
Angela - A very big thank you, so great to ‘sit at your feet’ as you share this heart felt reminder that God’s love really IS Christmas. Thank you Tammy.
Dec 10, 2020, 6:12:45 AM
Kela Bolduc - Thank you Tammy for this beautiful and very relatable reflection on God's love being or everyday Christmas I will pray for you guys.
Dec 10, 2020, 1:22:30 AM
Karin - Thank you for this Tammy! So good to reflect on the deoph of God's love for me and on the privilege to be Jesus's sister. I will be praying for your travelling and time in isolation.
Dec 9, 2020, 9:52:28 AM
Schileter Davis - Thank you for sharing this lesson. It will help me during this holiday season. I will pass it on to other's.
Dec 8, 2020, 11:58:54 AM
Emily Quai Hoi - Thank you for this I’m so grateful to have a father who loves and cares for me no matter what He has shown me nothing but love during this time. Being a disciple has been the best decision ever and I am so blessed to continue to learn of His abundant goodness.
Dec 8, 2020, 11:23:09 AM
Karen de Sola-Smith - Thank you for this! I have needed it.
Dec 7, 2020, 8:46:35 AM
Maria Luisa Guajardo uribe - Soy Dicipula de la Iglecia de Cristo en Monterrey
Dec 5, 2020, 3:44:18 PM
Emily (Bobbitt) Nicholson - Tammy, how wonderful to hear your “voice” - your clear, strong love for God - in this Advent devotional. I’ll be praying for your safe travels and time with Andrew’s Mum. Amazing that each sister that reads this has different connections, that comments below are made in many languages, that this platform can connect us all despite decades of time passing and thousands of miles that lie between us. Thank you for sharing your heart and look forward to reading one of these each morning! Sending love from Australia.
Dec 5, 2020, 1:08:56 PM
Lai-Yan Faller - Thank you for sharing the specific details (or lack thereof) of your Christmas plans - this is so real and relatable!
Dec 5, 2020, 7:34:28 AM
Kelli Saindon - Our dearest Tammy, In a time of uncertainty, it is a blessing to be reminded of the perfect truth of God's love. Praying for your Canadian Christmas this year.
Dec 5, 2020, 6:27:23 AM
Sonia Hernández - El amor de Dios y de Jesús me ha mantenido de pie siempre y en esta navidad tengo una revelación maravillosa del Espíritu Santo. Dios Padre , Hijo y Espiritu Santo nos aman tanto ellos siguen luchando por nosotros por su gran amor a la humanidad y tendremos salvación. Gracias por cuidarnos. Deseo puedan estar en Canada a mi hijo no lo dejaron llegar desde México. Verifiquen bien antes de salir de su país. Dios los bendiga
Dec 5, 2020, 5:10:53 AM
Shaleshni Singh - Awesome.... Love how we are imperfect and yet god loves us unconditionally. Just like David was imperfect but yet God used him, same way God will use us.
Dec 4, 2020, 6:38:16 PM
SONIA DURAN - Gracias, por el tiempo que emplean en realizar cada uno de los devocionales. Dios las utilice en todos momento. Gracias.
Dec 4, 2020, 3:34:30 PM
Roberta Balsom - Thank you. I’m so grateful for women teaching women.
Dec 4, 2020, 10:05:24 AM
Cheryl Hammer - Thanks so much for sharing these thoughts Tammy. What a loving heart you have to take weeks to help take care of your mother in law. We all love her so much and I will be praying for you all. You are demonstrating the sacrificial love that Jesus has shown to us all. I will take time to pray for you on Christmas Day.
Dec 4, 2020, 9:51:22 AM
Katie Reed - Looking forward to this!
Dec 4, 2020, 7:30:37 AM
Krista King - When you think of God’s love for the whole world; what amazes you? That no one is out of reach from the love of God. When you think of God’s love for you personally; what amazes you? That he never gives up on me, he is always there fighting for me and remaining with me. As we enter the busy holiday season, in what way can you make sure that God’s love stays on your heart and mind? Stay grounded in his truth, about who he is and what he has done.
Dec 3, 2020, 8:39:46 AM
Jinky Kieft - Thank you for reminding me of his unconditional love. I'm amazed how he doesn't show favoritism, he loves all. I'm reminded that I was an Elijah- depressed and suicidal, I was Mary M- demon possessed, I was Joseph- abused and I too was Paul a murderer, there was nothing good in me but yet he chose to love me. Even now as a disciple, I'm not always easy to love but he chooses to everyday, it encourages my heart to be more like him and to love more like him. I want to bask in his Love this Season. Thank you Tammy and prayers for your family
Dec 3, 2020, 6:41:50 AM
Melissa Caroline Abello - Love this devotional. The question what Amazes me about how God loves the world and me really struck me. I sit and ponder and think about how utterly patient he is with all of us, but me personally. I will meditate on this. It helps me especially to be reminded of the reason for the season right now and that I am truly celebrating Jesus coming to this world for us and for me! Thank you for your heart and thoughts Tammy and prayers to you and your family as you experience the distance from your kids.
Dec 2, 2020, 11:08:10 AM
Kathy Dahle - So inspiring, Tammy. Thanks for reminding me of the love God has for me & the way he wants me to love others. I needed this reminder!!
Dec 2, 2020, 9:49:38 AM
Robin Hawkins - Tammy, Thanks for this quiet time. Advent, the coming of Christ is more powerful than I realized b/c of this quiet time. Thinking about Gods love for the world being more than people but the good and bad in people is powerful! Romans 8:35-39 as well, thinking about how God doesn’t let the sin we do separate us from his love is powerful! God’s love is amazing! When I think about the things that prevent me from loving others, I will think of this quiet time and pray to love the world, good and bad, the way God does
Dec 2, 2020, 3:44:03 AM
Ольга Атавина - Бог любит мир. Иногда Ему больно. Точнее, вся боль На Кресте. Там Отец и Сын разделены. Они каждый делают свое дело. Сын из Любви к каждому, ко всем приносит Себя в жертву. А Отец принимает. Я думаю, что это заранее оговорено ещё от создания мира. И я думаю Иисус Сам упросил Отца дать людям, что будут грешить, шанс узнать Его Любовь снова. И на земле, и после жизни. Думаю, что это тоже входило в план при сотворении мира. Для Него и Им создано - Иоанна 1-1.. Даже сатана был созданием Любви. Любовь просто есть. И она побеждает всё. Мы можем её не выбирать и иметь последствия. Есть слуги падшего Ангела, сатаны и есть борьба добра со злом. Но так устроен мир. Это важно. Силу Любви в свете, добре, тепле можно понять в сравнении. Когда этого очень мало, тебе холодно и ты даже злишься.. Я думаю, хотя об этом нет в Библии, что Любовь Божья настолько сильна, что в конце мира настанет и возможность для покаяния сатаны. Это идеалистично возможно и меня могут упрекнуть все, кто верит в Христа, ученики. И я ученик. И я учусь у Него жить. Я точно знаю, что Он дал нам любовь и спасение, истину и свет. И я знаю, что Он поменял закон придя на землю младенцем, а потом и идя на крест. Почему бы не поверить в Настолько Сильную любовь, которая и самому злу даст шанс? Это мои мысли. Когда я думаю о любви ко мне лично, готова плакать. Лично есть лично. Иисус оставил мне жизнь, дал пройти множество боли. Он близко ко мне настолько, что трепетно. И я знаю, что есть у Него миссия для меня. На каждый день и какая то Одна главная. Когда я думаю, что Иисус меня любит, хочется плакать и говорить Спасибо. Хочется обнять Его.. Это тепло и трепетно. Это, когда Он берёт нежно мою руку и шепчет - пойдём, дорогая моя. Я люблю тебя. Ты Мне нужна. Есть что-то, чего нам нельзя знать. Куда точно всё идёт и как обернётся Я хочу обнимать маму, папу и моих родных на Новый год и в Рождество. Быть может, это удастся. Много уже лет мы вчтречаем эти дни отдельно. Мои родители не ученики Христа. И родные мужа тоже. Большим чудом станет время, когда мы поговорим о Нём и помолимся вместе. Такие шаги есть. Мне больно думать и загадывать как будет, но я уверена, что Любовь Христа и с ними тоже. Особенно если вспомнить первое рассуждение о сатане. Я человек. И я люблю обнимать с любовью. Мой муж и 2 маленьких сына рядом. Мы встретим праздник Рождества вместе. Сейчас неясно, как всё пройдёт. Неясно и то, не настанет ли последний день тогда, во время праздника. Но ничто и никогда не изменит Любовь Христа к нам. А мы можем молиться помнить об этом.
Dec 2, 2020, 2:29:50 AM
Olaoluwa Oni - It's so true that God's love should influence my life. thank you for sharing
Dec 2, 2020, 12:47:35 AM
Ngozi orumwense - Thanks for sharing. May God help me to appreciate God's Love in my life and extend it to others around me.
Dec 2, 2020, 12:11:47 AM
ABOLARINWA OMOBOLA E - We love because he first loved us. God's love is Amazing. I will show God's love to 3 sisters today. May God direct me to them. Amen. Thanks for sharing.
Dec 1, 2020, 10:33:26 PM
Vickie budde - Lovely
Dec 1, 2020, 6:37:22 PM
Joan Sonza - Awesome heart ♥️ kapatid
Dec 1, 2020, 2:42:52 PM
Fritzie Asuncion - Awesome