Scripture: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16
Can you feel it? The closeness of Christmas morning, the whispers of hope, peace, and joy all building toward one single truth: love came down. This week, as we light the fourth candle of Advent, we’re invited to lean into the kind of love that changes everything.
Not just any love, but the love of a God who saw us—broken, tired, and lost—and chose to step into our world to make us whole. Emmanuel. God with us.
A Love That Moves Toward Us
When God sent His Son, He didn’t do it from a distance. He didn’t send a messenger to clean up the mess or ask us to climb our way to Him. No, God came to us Himself.
Jesus entered this world as a baby, vulnerable and small, to show us just how far His love would go. He didn’t come for the perfect or the put-together—He came for the weary, the outcast, the overlooked. He came for you and me.
In a world that often demands we prove our worth, God’s love reminds us that we don’t have to earn it. It’s a gift, freely given, poured out in the form of a Savior who walked this earth, carried our pain, and died so we could live.
Love as a Healing Balm
If we’re honest, love feels complicated sometimes. Many of us have been hurt, overlooked, or taken for granted. The world has a way of twisting love into something transactional, something we have to fight for or cling to out of fear of losing it.
But God’s love is different. It’s steady, unshakable, and healing. It meets us in our broken places and makes us whole. It reminds us that we’re not defined by our wounds but by the One who loves us through them.
This Advent season, let the truth of God’s love sink deep. Let it remind you that you are cherished, not for what you do, but simply because you are His.
The Love We Share
When we embrace God’s love, it doesn’t stop with us. It overflows into our relationships, our communities, and the world around us. That’s the beauty of love—it multiplies.
Think of the way our ancestors cared for one another, even in the harshest circumstances. They knew that love wasn’t just a feeling; it was an action. It was sharing what little they had, singing songs of hope together, and holding each other up.
This kind of love reflects the heart of God, and we’re called to live it out today. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let’s ask ourselves: how can we embody His love in our own lives?
God With Us, Always
The name Emmanuel means “God with us.” And sis, He truly is. Whether you’re surrounded by family this Christmas or spending it in quiet reflection, His love is with you. It’s in the laughter of children, the warmth of candlelight, and the stillness of a silent night.
And it’s not just for this season. Emmanuel isn’t just “God with us” at Christmas—He’s God with us always. In our joy, in our pain, in our everyday moments, His love remains.
A Prayer for the Week
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your love, a love so powerful that You came to be with us. Teach us to rest in Your love and to share it with others. Let the truth of Emmanuel fill our hearts this Christmas, reminding us that we are never alone. Amen.
During Advent and always, let love be your anchor. Let it remind you of who you are and whose you are. Emmanuel—God is with you. And because He is with you, you are never without hope, peace, joy, or love. Hold onto that truth, sis. You are loved, deeply and eternally.