Sermon: Love
What a special time of year this is! Holiday lights and decorations to behold, hot chocolate or hot toddies if you prefer, Christmas movies and music, snowfall, and gatherings of families and friends. There is something, however, more precious than these. It is the love and faithfulness of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This 4th Sunday in advent is all about Love. Last Sunday focused on Joy and even though we were not gathered to learn more about it, hopefully you will find joy throughout the rest of the day and “rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
To help put love into context, Gary Chapman who is a baptist pastor, created the 5 Love Languages. You might have heard of it or even studied it with Jeff. It outlines five general ways to express and experience love.
Words of Affirmation= expressing love through compliments, appreciation, and verbal encouragement
Acts of Service= showing love by doing helpful tasks that ease the burden of responsibilities
Receiving gifts/Gift giving= feeling loved and appreciated through the thoughtfulness and effort behind a gift, not its monetary value
Quality time= feeling loved through undivided attention, meaningful conversations, and shared experiences
Physical touch= showing love through physical affection like hugs, holding hands, and other forms of touch
Jesus was the epitome of love and demonstrated it in many ways. Some examples of His connection to the 5 love languages are as follows:
He verbally encouraged his disciples in His ways, using affirming words. He washed the feet of others illustrating acts of service and the laying down of his own life was the pinnacle act of service. Jesus offers everyone eternal life which is the ultimate gift. Spending quality time in prayer is where we can give our undivided attention to the Lord and vice versa. Hugging someone or laying a gentle hand on a shoulder is Christ acting through us during physical touch.
When it was time for God’s perfect plan to commence, love was at work. Mary accepted the angel’s invitation to bear the holy child and it was Mary’s exceptional faith and love that helped bring Jesus into this world. “I am the Lord’s servant; may it be done to me according to your word”, Luke 1 verse 8.
When it was time for Mary to give birth, she and Joseph had been traveling for a while. In Bethlehem, they finally sought shelter in a manger, where animals were being housed. It was there that The King of all Kings and the Light of the World was born. So much love in that humble space.
A lot of us know that Jesus was graciously and lovingly raised and learned to be a carpenter like Joseph. It wasn’t until Jesus exchanged his earthly trade for a more spiritual one: one in which he offered his life for humanity’s sins. Before Jesus’ death, he preached and performed miracles. Doing all of it out of love.
Jesus’ love is all-encompassing and everlasting. We are commanded to “Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” Matthew 22:37. In this season of advent, love one another because it comes from God. Amen!