“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
John 3:16 might be the most familiar Bible verse ever. It’s a verse for all seasons, but I don’t think I have thought of it as a Christmas verse before.
But of course, without Christmas, there is no making sense of John 3:16. Without Jesus coming to earth as a baby, putting on our fragile body, and becoming one of us to save us, the verse loses its punch line, its solution. God loves us, and out of that love, he instituted a plan for us to know his love, by giving us his Son, Jesus.
God Gave His Son
The announcements to Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the Wise Men were just the first steps toward the full recognition of God’s love for humanity, a love that Christ would ultimately embody and accomplish.
“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8
I will add one thing to the Apostle’s words above, God proves his love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died [AND LIVED!] for us. If you are a Hamilton (the musical) fan you will know George Washington’s line “Dying is easy, young man. Living is harder.” The Bible puts it this way,
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” – Philippians 1:22-24
The gift of Jesus at Christmas is the climactic gift of a love story that started before the foundations of the earth were laid. God set forth, in all wisdom and insight that he would love us by giving us his son, his very self, to free us from our bondage to sin and death.
Love One Another
The gift of Christmas love is not just for our salvation, but for the redemption of all things, all people. Jesus’ death saves us, and his life empowers us to love as he loves,
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:4-15
The love we have been shown in the manger, in Jesus’ ministry, and on the cross is meant to turn us outward to love others, to love our neighbours, to love our communities, and to love God’s creation with everything we have. Because we do not live for ourselves, but God’s glory.
This Christmas has a bit of a sad tone to it. Family members we can’t see, places we can’t go, traditions we can’t celebrate, churches sitting empty. “But the word of God is not bound (2 Timothy 2:9)!” and God’s word is that he loves you, he sent his son for you; and he wants good for you.
Merry Christmas! And may the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Jesus Christ shine bright in your heart and your home this Christmas.
