Nine days left until Christmas. Are you ready? Be intentional and prepare your heart to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Take a moment to prepare your heart for Christmas by thinking about LOVE.
What’s love got to do with it?
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” John 3:16 The Message
Do you believe in the power of Christmas?
Receive the gift of God’s son and share the love.
“This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:17 (NLT)
Consider these words from “O Holy Night;”
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother
And in his name all oppression shall cease
This is how they know
The Christmas season can be stressful and that can squeeze the love right out of our grinch-sized hearts. Are you struggling in your relationships with difficult people?
Love is sort of my barometer. When I’m walking with the Lord, my love for others increases. When I’m disconnected, I’m selfish, arrogant and sometimes just plain ol mean. Yeah, apparently, spicy is actually not a fruit of the Spirit.
Jesus confirmed this truth in John 13:35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)
LOVE
Here’s the deal. You can’t muster up love for the unlovable, and you certainly can’t love your enemies in your own strength. Even our love for the Lord depends on Him. The fruit of the Spirit is a gift from God. Ask God to fill your stocking with more love! It’s proof to the world that you belong to Him and it’s not optional. Live in the light!
“Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light.” 1 John 2:10 (NIV)
If you missed the intro to the Spirit of Christmas, read more here.
