Christmas Love

Romans 8:31-39 (NIV)

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This Christmas, remind yourself and your family that hope is only found in how much you've been loved by Jesus. It will be tempting to look for hope in the gifts that you receive or in the gifts that you give or in the people that you celebrate Christmas with, but those gifts will get old, your generosity will wrestle with your selfishness, and the people who say they love you will find a way to disappoint you once again.

The only hope that you have this Christmas is in the love that God has for you. Husbands, you won't love your wife like you're supposed to. Wives, you won't love your husbands like you're supposed to. Brothers and sisters, you won't love your siblings like you're supposed to. Parents, you won't love your kids like you're supposed to. Kids, you won't love your parents like you're supposed to. But God will always love you perfectly.

Christmas Day is a celebration of how much God loves us. Don't miss out on an opportunity to share that Good News. Remind yourself and your family to fix your eyes on Jesus and celebrate that there's eternal, life-changing hope for you!

Dear Lord, Thank You for showing us love on that first Christmas.  Help us keep our eyes fixed upon You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.