Love

 Recently, our church hosted an outdoor Christmas event – The Nativity Story. We had many familiar and unfamiliar faces drive or walk through the different stations that help tell the actual narrative of our Savior’s birth and purpose (Luke 1:26-33, 39-44; 2:1-7, 8-17; Isaiah 9:6; John 3:16). Both believers and non-believers that night heard God’s message of love. The love of a Father in heaven who is gracious (John 3:16), the love of earthly parents who love God (Luke 1:26-33; 39-44; 2:1-7), and a divine love that extends to all people (Luke 2:8-17). 

The birth of Jesus is a testimony of God’s gracious and merciful love for His people. An angel of the Lord told the shepherds, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11, ESV). The angel not only gave the message of the birth of Jesus but also the purpose of His arrival – He is the Messiah (Luke 2:10-14). There will be peace between God and His people through the belief in His Son Jesus Christ (v.14). That day, the lives of those shepherds changed because of their encounter with God’s spoken word (Luke 2:10), and the living Word (vv.16-17). In response to what they saw and heard, these men shared what was told to them about this child (v.17) and were glorifying and praising God (v.20). My friends, what is your response to God’s message of love that extends to everyone who chooses to believe?

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