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"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." - 1 John 4:9

While there are many things we enjoy about the Christmas season, giving and receiving gifts must be one of the most cherished. So much time and energy go into finding the right gift for the right person. We search for deals online and scour the shelves of local stores looking for the perfect gift.

While it is possible to turn Christmas into a consumeristic circus, there is something deeply sacred about giving gifts.

As we wrap gifts, we anticipate the recipient’s response, hoping for their surprise and joy. As we open gifts given to us, we experience the wonder and delight we desire for others. While it is possible to turn Christmas into a consumeristic circus, there is something deeply sacred about giving gifts. In fact, gifts are what Christmas is all about.

Love is not simply an emotion or a feeling. Genuine love must be expressed. We give because we love. This is as true for humans as it is for God. God’s love for us is not just a warm and gentle disposition towards us or a desire for our general wellbeing. God’s love gives and is supremely manifested through the incarnation of our Lord, the only begotten Son of God.

Christmas reminds us that God gives extravagantly because he loves us with an infinitely extravagant love.

Christmas doesn’t just remind us that God gives. Christmas reminds us that God gives extravagantly because he loves us with an infinitely extravagant love. In eternity past, God determined to send his only begotten son into this world to rescue us from sin, death, and darkness. Heaven’s Prince stepped off his throne to be born in a manger and to hang on a cross.

The babe of Bethlehem, the child whom the Virgin Mary carried, the Savior whom the angels proclaimed, and the shepherds visited with awe and wonder, the King whom the Magi traveled long and far to worship, is God’s love revealed to us.

The birth of our Lord means that God has come to be us, to live for us, and to die for us that our sins might be forgiven and our enemies defeated. There is no greater need, no greater gift, no greater love.

As you celebrate Christmas this year through giving and receiving gifts, remember the gift of our Lord Jesus, given and sent by the Father.

As you celebrate Christmas this year through giving and receiving gifts, remember the gift of our Lord Jesus, given and sent by the Father. He is the fullest and truest expression of God’s love for you.

Liturgy

God of immeasurable love,

In love you created the world.
You chose us to be your people.
You showered us with countless gifts.

And yet, we turned on you, trading eternal joy for a fleeting moment of promised serpentine pleasure.

In a moment our eyes were opened,
Our hearts were crushed,
Our conscience enflamed.

Death was certain, there was no way out.
Yet, your love conquered all. 

In love, you promised a Savior who would crush the serpent.
In love, you approached Bethlehem’s manger and Golgotha’s cross.

In love, you sent your only begotten son, to rescue us from sin and death.

God, we celebrate with advent joy and conviction, that your love has set us free!
It is better than life,
It knows no bounds,
It satisfies like no other.

Thank you for pursuing us when we were running from you.

Thank you for saving us when we could not save ourselves.

Thank you for loving us when we were unlovely,

Amen