When we think of the Christmas season, all sorts things run through our minds. Family, food, gifts, and hopefully Jesus. As we think about Jesus, we think about why he came and what his birth meant.  To start our study the last time we talked about hope and why we should have hope because of what Jesus did. This time we are going to discuss love and how and why God showed love to us by sending His son. Let’s discuss God’s indescribable love for us.

When we look at the birth of Jesus and the fact that he came to earth, it raises some interesting thoughts about God’s love. First thing we might mention is that God showed His love for us by sending His son and allowing the death of His son, Jesus. Romans 5:8 makes it clear, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even when we were lost, even before we came to know Christ, he died for us, and the Father allowed it. It’s not as though the Father didn’t love Jesus and he just gave up something He really didn’t care about. The voice from heaven tells us, “This is my Son, whom I love,” (Matthew 3:17). God gave up His only son, whom He loved. That is love and that is the power of God’s love.

It is hard to imagine something like this happening in the world we live in and with our flesh nature in which surrounds us. Jesus died even for those who would never follow him. He died for those who would never confess his name as Lord and for those who would mock him and ultimately kill him. Not only this but the Father God gave up His Son for those same reasons. Imagine giving up the one closest to you, perhaps your child or a spouse or your dearest loved one. Imagine sacrificing their life for people who wouldn’t care. There would be a few who would, but the rest of the people, wouldn’t. I would imagine most of us wouldn’t do it. But that is the power of God’s love for us.

The birth of Jesus showed the world the love that God has for it. Often times it is hard to imagine a loving God and all the hurt that is in the world. However, when we look at passages like Lamentations 3:31-33. It says, “For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” This is a promise. A promise that tells us that even though there is suffering, grief, and hurt, God will show compassion. Why? Because of His great unfailing love. It all comes back to love. Jesus came at a time when the world was broken, there were many that were lost and this was the greatest act of love to bring the world back to God. We were separated from God so God sent Jesus because of His love, to restore us and bring us back to Him. That is why the birth of Jesus showed love and was love.  

As we celebrate the Christmas season, let’s remember that God’s love is shown through the birth of Jesus.