READ
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners… (Deuteronomy 10:17-19a NIV)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34- 35 NIV)
UNDERSTAND
Advent is a season of waiting. In the Bible, this season was marked by the waiting of a Savior. Today we live in a world where the Savior has come. Now, we remember. We remember the way God loved His people then by sending them a King that first Christmas, and we remember the way God loves us now by sacrificing His Son so that we might have a full and free life in Him.
During Advent, we ultimately remember God’s love.
Because that’s what this season is truly about. Christmas is really about love, and primarily, the love God has for us. That love is so deep and profound that He sent His Son to Earth that first Christmas all those years ago. He sent Him knowing that He would eventually grow up to make a way for the rest of mankind to come close to God once again. That is real love, and it all started with Christmas.
As you’re in this season of the year, ask God to keep this picture of love on the forefront of your mind. Ask Him to show you ways to treat others with this spirit of unconditional love. Thank Him for the ultimate show of His love for us—the gift of us Son, Jesus.
RESPOND
Questions for Discussion:
- What’s one thing you love about Christmas?
- How can you remember the love of God through His son Jesus this holiday season?
- What can you do to help practice this unconditional spirit of love toward others this Christmas?
PRAYER
God, thank you for your Son, Jesus. There is no greater gift you could give us, no greater act of love, than that of sending Jesus to walk this Earth with us and make a way for us to once again be close to You. Thank you that even when we don’t deserve it, You love us. Help us to celebrate Your love this holiday season and be bold enough to share it with others.
FAMILY TIME
One of the best ways to teach your children about real love is to help them put it into practice. There are people all around you who could use some love this holiday season. Together as a family, look for ways to serve and love those in your community, your church, or your school who might be in need.
Keep your eyes open for ways you can help people after Christmas. There is a lot of focus on helping people before Christmas, but those same people often get forgotten after Christmas.
No matter what you do, look for ways to show love to people around you as a family. And as you do, talk with your kids about why it’s important that we show the love of Christ to others not just at Christmas, but all year long.