Advent: Love
Choosing Love When It's Hard
Day 1: Love Costs Something
Reading: John 3:16-21
God's love wasn't merely a feeling—it was an action that cost Him everything. He gave His one and only Son, demonstrating that authentic love requires sacrifice. This Advent season, we often get caught up in the glitter and glamour, spending money we don't have on people who have everything. But true love, the kind God modeled, means giving what's most precious for someone's ultimate good. Today, reflect on what God's sacrificial love means for you personally. He loved you at your worst, not just at your best. How does knowing that Christ died specifically for you—even when you were unlovable—change how you view yourself and others? Love is hard because it demands we give up our comfort, convenience, and control.
Day 2: Loving the Unlovable
Reading: Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus commands something radical: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This isn't a suggestion—it's a command. We naturally love those who love us back, but God calls us to a higher standard. He sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous, showing no favoritism in His provision. This Christmas, who in your life seems unlovable? Perhaps a difficult family member, a coworker who wronged you, or a neighbor who frustrates you? God places these people in your path not just to transform them, but to transform you. When you love someone who seemingly doesn't deserve it, you reflect God's character to a watching world. Forgiveness isn't just for their benefit—it frees you to walk humbly and act justly before God.
Day 3: Love in Action
Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Paul's famous love chapter reveals a sobering truth: without love, everything else is meaningless. You can have great faith, profound knowledge, and generous giving, but without love, you gain nothing. Love isn't primarily an emotion—it's patient action, kind words, humble service, and persistent faithfulness. It doesn't keep score of wrongs or delight in others' failures. This passage challenges us to examine our motives. Are we serving to be seen or to genuinely bless others? As you prepare for Christmas gatherings, consider how you'll demonstrate these qualities. Will you be patient with the slow checkout line? Kind to the stressed retail worker? Humble enough to forgive old wounds? Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres—even when it's hard.
Day 4: Becoming Distributors of Divine Love
Reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus makes a stunning declaration: when you serve "the least of these," you serve Him personally. Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, visiting the sick and imprisoned—these aren't optional add-ons to faith; they're expressions of genuine love for Christ. We're not just called to receive God's love; we're commissioned to distribute it. This requires more than attending church on Sunday—it means living out our faith Monday through Saturday. Look around your community. Who needs a meal? Who needs companionship? Who needs practical help? God has blessed you not so you can hoard those blessings, but so you can share them. This Christmas, instead of buying another gift for someone who has everything, consider serving someone who has nothing. Remember: it's not how much you give, but how much love you put into giving.
Day 5: Anticipating Jesus Like We Anticipate Christmas
Reading: Micah 6:6-8
What does the Lord require of you? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. As we approach Christmas, ask yourself: Do I anticipate Jesus' presence as much as I anticipate Christmas morning? Do I prepare my heart for Him as frantically as I prepare my home for guests? God doesn't want religious performance; He wants authentic relationship. He desires mercy over sacrifice, humility over pride, and justice over empty rituals. This Advent season, resist the temptation to jump straight to Christmas without sitting in the anticipation. The Messiah came once as a baby in a manger where there was no room. He's coming again, and He wants room in your heart today. Let your love for Jesus be demonstrated through compassionate, fair actions toward others. Walk humbly, knowing that more is caught than taught—people are watching how you love.
Closing Reflection: This Christmas, remember: it's not your job to convince, convict, or save. It's your job to love. Convincing, convicting, and saving is the work of the Holy Spirit. When you choose love, you choose hard—but nothing is impossible with God.
Choosing Love When It's Hard
Day 1: Love Costs Something
Reading: John 3:16-21
God's love wasn't merely a feeling—it was an action that cost Him everything. He gave His one and only Son, demonstrating that authentic love requires sacrifice. This Advent season, we often get caught up in the glitter and glamour, spending money we don't have on people who have everything. But true love, the kind God modeled, means giving what's most precious for someone's ultimate good. Today, reflect on what God's sacrificial love means for you personally. He loved you at your worst, not just at your best. How does knowing that Christ died specifically for you—even when you were unlovable—change how you view yourself and others? Love is hard because it demands we give up our comfort, convenience, and control.
Day 2: Loving the Unlovable
Reading: Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus commands something radical: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This isn't a suggestion—it's a command. We naturally love those who love us back, but God calls us to a higher standard. He sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous, showing no favoritism in His provision. This Christmas, who in your life seems unlovable? Perhaps a difficult family member, a coworker who wronged you, or a neighbor who frustrates you? God places these people in your path not just to transform them, but to transform you. When you love someone who seemingly doesn't deserve it, you reflect God's character to a watching world. Forgiveness isn't just for their benefit—it frees you to walk humbly and act justly before God.
Day 3: Love in Action
Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Paul's famous love chapter reveals a sobering truth: without love, everything else is meaningless. You can have great faith, profound knowledge, and generous giving, but without love, you gain nothing. Love isn't primarily an emotion—it's patient action, kind words, humble service, and persistent faithfulness. It doesn't keep score of wrongs or delight in others' failures. This passage challenges us to examine our motives. Are we serving to be seen or to genuinely bless others? As you prepare for Christmas gatherings, consider how you'll demonstrate these qualities. Will you be patient with the slow checkout line? Kind to the stressed retail worker? Humble enough to forgive old wounds? Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres—even when it's hard.
Day 4: Becoming Distributors of Divine Love
Reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus makes a stunning declaration: when you serve "the least of these," you serve Him personally. Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, visiting the sick and imprisoned—these aren't optional add-ons to faith; they're expressions of genuine love for Christ. We're not just called to receive God's love; we're commissioned to distribute it. This requires more than attending church on Sunday—it means living out our faith Monday through Saturday. Look around your community. Who needs a meal? Who needs companionship? Who needs practical help? God has blessed you not so you can hoard those blessings, but so you can share them. This Christmas, instead of buying another gift for someone who has everything, consider serving someone who has nothing. Remember: it's not how much you give, but how much love you put into giving.
Day 5: Anticipating Jesus Like We Anticipate Christmas
Reading: Micah 6:6-8
What does the Lord require of you? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. As we approach Christmas, ask yourself: Do I anticipate Jesus' presence as much as I anticipate Christmas morning? Do I prepare my heart for Him as frantically as I prepare my home for guests? God doesn't want religious performance; He wants authentic relationship. He desires mercy over sacrifice, humility over pride, and justice over empty rituals. This Advent season, resist the temptation to jump straight to Christmas without sitting in the anticipation. The Messiah came once as a baby in a manger where there was no room. He's coming again, and He wants room in your heart today. Let your love for Jesus be demonstrated through compassionate, fair actions toward others. Walk humbly, knowing that more is caught than taught—people are watching how you love.
Closing Reflection: This Christmas, remember: it's not your job to convince, convict, or save. It's your job to love. Convincing, convicting, and saving is the work of the Holy Spirit. When you choose love, you choose hard—but nothing is impossible with God.