Advent: Love

By Debbie Briggs

Recently my daughter-in-law told me she and her mother are going to Italy this summer. I squealed for joy! Then she told me something that made me yet smile again: “We started planning last week, and planning is half the fun.” They leave in five months, but the anticipation has already started. You’ve been there with a big event, haven’t you? The preparation of what is to come is part of the journey.

When our sons were young, each year my husband and I anxiously awaited watching our boys open the advent calendar. Some of you can visualize this and perhaps have done something similar. Starting December 1st, there was a daily corresponding window to open. There were scriptures to read that would explain the coming birth of Christ. Our boys rotated days of who got to open the window on that particular day. Always the 24th, on Christmas Eve, that window was oh so pretty and we knew … tomorrow is the day. Finally, that grandiose window was opened with the long-awaited announcement from Isaiah 9:6: “For unto us a child is born and unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders and he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father."

Isaiah, the first major prophet, ministered in the 8th century before Christ, prophesying about the coming of Christ. He and other prophets pointed to signs that were like opening little windows to the future. Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and call him Immanuel.” Humanity waited; anticipation heightened. The wisest of men prepared.

In this Advent series we have journeyed through hope, peace, joy and now here we are at love. Christmas is not about the presents; it is about God’s presence … that final window that has been opened. And that incredible gift to mankind is the greatest love gift, the greatest gift any of us could ever receive, Christ in human form, born in a manger to be our Savior if we but invite Him into our lives. And for those of us who are believers, we continue that preparation and anticipation as Advent is both the celebration of Christ’s birth and the excitement of his second coming.

The wise men followed a star that guided them to the Messiah. Then heaven came down in the flesh to live among us. The window was opened: Christ was born.

Are we among the wise? Or are we among the too busy? Some miss the greatest love gift ever. Some get glimpses in life, like opening some windows and leaving others closed. They miss the presence. A gift is not a gift unless it is received. Life gets busy. “I have tomorrow. I will get around to it.” Presents will pass. Jesus’ presence will never pass. But like other gifts, if we do not receive them, that window will remain closed.

With open hands, thank Jesus for being the greatest love gift of all times. We live in difficult times and our culture can get quite complicated. But that simple love gift was sent so that Jesus would live his life and die on a cross for you so that we can carry that love gift around and know that He has provided life forever for us if we yet receive it. Advent is that anticipation, preparation and celebration of both Christ’s birth and his coming.

That final window is so grandiose. Open it. His presence is amazing. Receive it.

Would you pray with me: “Jesus, in a world that is so very complicated, may we receive the gift of your presence in our lives. Thank you that heaven came down over 2,000 years ago so that we can experience your love, the greatest gift we could ever imagine. What hope, what peace, what joy, what love! Thank you, Jesus.”

And by the way … Merry Christmas!

I invite you to join me in the accompanying video as we look at love through the lens of Immanuel: God With Us.