LOVE
When the Christ Child arrived in Bethlehem, those many years ago, wise men brought gifts fit for a king. We take our Christmas tradition of gift exchanges from this example in antiquity.
The truth is, that it was God who initiated the gift giving. He gave the gift of his Son Jesus, and it was manifested in three ways. He was and is the gift of LOVE, the gift of LIGHT and the gift of LIFE.
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Where does the idea of God‘s LOVE come from? Matthew 1:21,22 tells us that the Christ was named Jesus meaning savior. “He will save his people from their sins“ why would God do that? Because he loved us.
John 3:16 & 17 says, “For God LOVED us that he gave his Son.” This was a unique form of love never before used. It is used 115 times in the New Testament. The Greek word is agape, an unconditional sacrificial (revolutionary) kind of love.
1 John 4:8–10 tells us, “God is LOVE” (agape) the very essence of love. Love is God‘s nature: water is wet, ice is cold, God is love. Christ’s birth and his death on the cross proves God‘s love for us. He came into this world…and what did the angel say? “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” God sent his son because he loved us.
Jesus is the gift of LOVE that went to the cross of Calvary and paid the ultimate price to redeem men from sin.
The Prayer Sentry 