The Fourth Week of Advent: Love
As we journey through the Advent season, we are invited to reflect on the central themes that define this sacred time: hope, peace, joy, and love. But among these themes, love stands as the ultimate expression of God’s nature and His relationship with humanity. Advent is, at its core, a celebration of divine love—the love that compelled God to send His Son into the world. This love is not merely a seasonal sentiment, but a transformative force that calls us to reflect, embody, and share it with others.
The Love of God Revealed in Christ
The Advent season is a time of preparation, but it is also a time to remember the greatest gift humanity has ever received: the gift of God’s love. As we explore the biblical foundations of this love, two key passages serve as touchstones for understanding its depth and implications: John 3:16-17 and 1 John 4:7-12.
John 3:16-17 is perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible, often referred to as the “Gospel in a nutshell.” It captures the essence of the Christmas story: “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.” This passage speaks to the self-sacrificial nature of God’s love. It is a love so profound that God was willing to send His only Son into a broken world, knowing the ultimate sacrifice that awaited Him.
The arrival of Christ is the manifestation of this love. God did not wait for humanity to earn His favor or to prove its worthiness. Instead, He acted out of pure, unconditional love, sending His Son to redeem a fallen world. This is the love we celebrate during Advent—a love that is active, not passive; a love that takes initiative, reaches out, and embraces the unlovable.
1 John 4:7-12 builds upon this theme by calling believers to reflect God’s love in their own lives. The passage begins with a simple yet profound command: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” This is not a mere suggestion, but a mandate for those who have experienced the love of God. As recipients of divine love, we are called to be vessels of that love, sharing it with the world around us. The love that God has shown us is not meant to be kept to ourselves—it is a love that is meant to be shared, a love that transforms both the giver and the receiver.
Defining Love from a Biblical Perspective
To fully grasp the significance of the love we celebrate during Advent, we must understand what the Bible means when it speaks of love. In our culture, love is often portrayed as an emotion or feeling, something that comes and goes depending on circumstances. But the love described in the Bible, specifically agape love, goes far beyond mere emotion. It is a self-giving, sacrificial love that seeks the well-being of others, even at great personal cost.
This is the love that led Christ to the manger and ultimately to the cross. It is a love that is rooted in action, not just words. Throughout the Advent season, we are reminded of the ways in which God has demonstrated His love for us, not just in sending Jesus to be born in a stable, but in His entire mission of redemption.
As we reflect on this love, we are called to emulate it in our own lives. Advent is not just a time for receiving love; it is a time for giving love. It is a time to consider how we can mirror God’s love in our relationships, our communities, and our daily interactions.
The Transforming Power of God’s Love
The love of God is not just a theological concept—it is a transformative power that changes us from the inside out. When we experience the depth of God’s love, we are compelled to live differently. It softens our hearts, opens our eyes to the needs of others, and moves us to act in ways that reflect the love we have received.
Advent provides a unique opportunity to reflect on how God’s love has impacted our own lives. How has His love changed us? How has it challenged us to live more compassionately, more sacrificially, and more selflessly? As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we are invited to consider how we can allow God’s love to shape our thoughts, our actions, and our relationships.
This transformation is not something that happens in isolation. God’s love is inherently communal. As we experience His love, we are called to extend it to others. Whether through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or simple gestures of care, we can become instruments of God’s love in a world that so desperately needs it.
Love in Action: How We Can Share God’s Love During Advent
The Advent season is often associated with giving, but as followers of Christ, we are called to go beyond material gifts and offer the gift of love. This is the true spirit of Christmas—a love that is selfless, sacrificial, and transformative. But how can we put this love into action during the Advent season?
- Reach Out to the Lonely and Struggling: Christmas can be a difficult time for many, particularly those who are lonely, grieving, or struggling. One of the most powerful ways we can share God’s love is by reaching out to those who are hurting. Whether through a phone call, a visit, or a simple act of kindness, we can be a source of comfort and encouragement to those in need.
- Offer Practical Help: Love is often best demonstrated through tangible acts of service. Whether it’s offering to help a neighbor, volunteering at a local charity, or providing for someone’s material needs, these acts of love reflect the selflessness of Christ’s love.
- Extend Forgiveness: One of the greatest gifts we can offer during Advent is the gift of forgiveness. Just as God has forgiven us through Christ, we are called to forgive those who have wronged us. This is not always easy, but it is a powerful way to demonstrate the love of God.
- Be Present: In our busy, distracted world, one of the most valuable gifts we can give is our time and attention. Whether with family, friends, or strangers, being fully present and attentive is a profound way to show love. This Advent season, let us prioritize meaningful connections and conversations, reflecting the love of Christ in our interactions.
The Love of Advent: A Call to Respond
As we move through Advent and approach Christmas, we are reminded that love is at the heart of this season. The love that moved God to send His Son into the world is the same love that calls us to love others. This love is not passive—it is active, reaching out to those in need, sacrificing for the sake of others, and bringing light into the darkness.
Advent is a time of reflection, but it is also a time of action. As we reflect on the love of God, let us respond by putting that love into practice in our own lives. Whether through small acts of kindness or larger gestures of generosity, we are called to share the love of Christ with the world.
May the love of God fill your hearts this Advent season, and may you be empowered to share that love with others in all that you do. This is the true meaning of Christmas—a love that gives, serves, and sacrifices for the sake of the world.
This article was written by CCS staff with generative assistance from AI.
Claim Your Free Advent Ebook & Curriculum Guide
Get notified about new resources
At Cornerstone, I am able to take courses at cheaper tuition rates than other colleges. Plus, the professors are very friendly and every class feels personal.
Daniel Gowaty CCS Student