The Advent of Love: A Season of Jesus-Centered Reflection
The Advent season is a time of anticipation, of wonder, and of preparation. As we have gathered together to worship Jesus in this season, we have lit the candles of Advent—the hope candle, the peace candle, the joy candle, and the love candle—in this symbolic tradition we are reminded of the depth and the beauty of what the Advent season truly means. I want to focus our attention on love, the fourth and perhaps most profound theme of Advent. This love isn’t just a warm sentiment or fleeting emotion. It’s a person—Jesus Christ.
Love Made Flesh
At the heart of Advent is the awesome truth that love came to us from heaven, and dwelt among us. In John 1:14, we read, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
This verse is the essence of Christmas. God didn’t just tell us about His love—He showed us in the most personal, intimate way imaginable. Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, left the splendor and glory of heaven to be one of us fully, to live among us, fully God and fully man. That’s not a distant or remote source of love; that is a love that draws near.
When we think about love in human terms, it often involves risk. Loving someone deeply opens us to vulnerability, to pain, and surely to sacrifice. The incarnation of Jesus—the Advent of love—is the ultimate example of vulnerability, of pain, and of sacrifice. Philippians 2:7-8 captures this truth perfectly, “He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Jesus’ love wasn’t hesitant or halfway. It was complete, sacrificial, and extravagant. Not only was love made flesh, but this was a profound and pursuing love.
This verse is the essence of Christmas. God didn’t just tell us about His love—He showed us in the most personal, intimate way imaginable. Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, left the splendor and glory of heaven to be one of us fully, to live among us, fully God and fully man. That’s not a distant or remote source of love; that is a love that draws near.
When we think about love in human terms, it often involves risk. Loving someone deeply opens us to vulnerability, to pain, and surely to sacrifice. The incarnation of Jesus—the Advent of love—is the ultimate example of vulnerability, of pain, and of sacrifice. Philippians 2:7-8 captures this truth perfectly, “He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Jesus’ love wasn’t hesitant or halfway. It was complete, sacrificial, and extravagant. Not only was love made flesh, but this was a profound and pursuing love.
Love That Pursues
From the beginning of Scripture, we see a God who relentlessly pursues His people. In the Old Testament, His covenant love (in Hebrew “hesed”) is woven throughout every story. God’s love for Israel wasn’t based on their faithfulness—because, let’s face it, they often weren’t faithful—but on His steadfast character.
Consider the words of Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Even when humanity turned its back on God, He remained faithful, and His ultimate act of pursuit was sending Jesus to bridge the gap sin created.
In Luke 15, Jesus teaches His disciples the truths of the parable of the lost sheep, where the shepherd leaves the 99 to go after the one. This is a perfect picture of the pursuing love of God, love in action—a love that doesn’t rest until the lost are found. It’s easy to feel like that one sheep sometimes, isn’t it? Wandering, unsure, maybe even unworthy. But the Advent of love, the pursuing love of God in and through Jesus Christ, tells us that Jesus comes for you, for me, and for every lost soul.
Not only was God’s love made flesh, and not only does He pursue us in His love, but His love transforms who we are.
Consider the words of Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Even when humanity turned its back on God, He remained faithful, and His ultimate act of pursuit was sending Jesus to bridge the gap sin created.
In Luke 15, Jesus teaches His disciples the truths of the parable of the lost sheep, where the shepherd leaves the 99 to go after the one. This is a perfect picture of the pursuing love of God, love in action—a love that doesn’t rest until the lost are found. It’s easy to feel like that one sheep sometimes, isn’t it? Wandering, unsure, maybe even unworthy. But the Advent of love, the pursuing love of God in and through Jesus Christ, tells us that Jesus comes for you, for me, and for every lost soul.
Not only was God’s love made flesh, and not only does He pursue us in His love, but His love transforms who we are.
Love That Transforms
One of the most beautiful aspects of the love of God is that it doesn’t leave us where it finds us. It transforms us. Romans 5:8 reminds us: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Think about this. Jesus didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up or get our act together. He loved us in our brokenness, in our wandering, and He met us there.
The love of God has the power to change everything. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” When we repent our sin, and we place our faith in Jesus, His love begins a Holy Spirit transformative work in our hearts. It doesn’t just make us feel better; it makes us new. This is why Advent is such a special time to reflect on these truths. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we’re reminded of how deeply loved we are—and how that love can inspire us to love others.
If God’s love took on flesh in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and He has so pursued us, and transformed us, who is it then that can receive this love of God. Who does God love?
The love of God has the power to change everything. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” When we repent our sin, and we place our faith in Jesus, His love begins a Holy Spirit transformative work in our hearts. It doesn’t just make us feel better; it makes us new. This is why Advent is such a special time to reflect on these truths. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we’re reminded of how deeply loved we are—and how that love can inspire us to love others.
If God’s love took on flesh in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and He has so pursued us, and transformed us, who is it then that can receive this love of God. Who does God love?
Love That Is for Everyone
The Advent of love isn’t exclusive or selective. It is for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord” (Romans 10:13). God’s Word says that they “will be saved” (Romans 10:13). The angel’s announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-11 captures this beautifully: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”
The shepherds were ordinary, overlooked people. Yet they were the first to hear the news of Jesus’ birth. This is an amazing example in the Word of God that God’s grace and forgiveness, His salvation is for everyone. It’s not for the elite or the perfect. It’s for the broken, the weary, and the outcast. Jesus Himself demonstrated this during His ministry. He touched lepers, dined with sinners, and welcomed children. His love broke through societal barriers and extended to everyone He met.
In fact, part of the transformation that God does in our hearts is that He calls us as followers of Jesus to reflect and imitate His love to the world. In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands us: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
God came to us, God pursues us, God transforms us, and He offers salvation to all, and all of this is a massive testimony to the generosity of God.
The shepherds were ordinary, overlooked people. Yet they were the first to hear the news of Jesus’ birth. This is an amazing example in the Word of God that God’s grace and forgiveness, His salvation is for everyone. It’s not for the elite or the perfect. It’s for the broken, the weary, and the outcast. Jesus Himself demonstrated this during His ministry. He touched lepers, dined with sinners, and welcomed children. His love broke through societal barriers and extended to everyone He met.
In fact, part of the transformation that God does in our hearts is that He calls us as followers of Jesus to reflect and imitate His love to the world. In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands us: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
God came to us, God pursues us, God transforms us, and He offers salvation to all, and all of this is a massive testimony to the generosity of God.
Love That Gives
Perhaps the most well-known verse in the Word of God encapsulates the Advent of love: “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). Here we see that love gives. The love of God is generous, and it calls us to be generous too—not just with material things, but with our time, our kindness, and our compassion. In fact, the generosity of God in pursuing us with His salvation, shows us our own role, as followers of Jesus, to be pursuing the lost with the same Gospel which came to us and saved us. What is more generous toward others than sharing with them the hope of the Gospel found alone in Jesus Christ? During Advent, we have countless opportunities to reflect this generous love.
Love That Endures
Advent also reminds us of the eternal nature of God’s love. It’s not seasonal or situational. It’s constant and unchanging. Romans 8:38-39 is a powerful reminder of this truth: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
No matter what you’re facing this Advent season—grief, uncertainty, loneliness—know that God’s love remains. It’s a foundation you can build your life on.
No matter what you’re facing this Advent season—grief, uncertainty, loneliness—know that God’s love remains. It’s a foundation you can build your life on.
Responding to the Advent of Love
So, how do we respond to the incredible love that came to us, that pursues us, that transforms us, and is a generous eternal love that we’ve been offered and given?
The Advent of love is the story of Jesus—His coming, His sacrifice, and His promise to return. It’s a story that changes everything.
This Christmas, as you light the candle of love, remember that it symbolizes more than a feeling. It represents the radical, self-giving, world-changing love of Jesus Christ. Let’s carry that love with us—not just during Advent, but every day. Let’s live as people transformed by love, sharing it freely and abundantly with a world that desperately needs it.
Merry Christmas, and may the love of Christ fill your heart this season and always.
- We receive it. Advent invites us to pause and reflect on the magnitude of God’s love. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season, but let’s take time to sit with Jesus and let His love renew our hearts.
- We reflect it. Just as Jesus’ love reached us, we’re called to reach others. This could mean showing forgiveness, practicing patience, or simply being present with someone who needs a listening ear.
- We rejoice in it. Advent is a celebration! Love has come. Emmanuel—God with us—is here. Let that truth fill your heart with gratitude and joy this season.
The Advent of love is the story of Jesus—His coming, His sacrifice, and His promise to return. It’s a story that changes everything.
This Christmas, as you light the candle of love, remember that it symbolizes more than a feeling. It represents the radical, self-giving, world-changing love of Jesus Christ. Let’s carry that love with us—not just during Advent, but every day. Let’s live as people transformed by love, sharing it freely and abundantly with a world that desperately needs it.
Merry Christmas, and may the love of Christ fill your heart this season and always.