Joy to the World: Sharing Love

Christmas is about the goodness of God expressed in the gift of Jesus to us in sharing God’s love. Sharing love moves beyond comfort and convenience into brokenness in meeting people where they are by crossing barriers, boundaries, and borders. Christmas tells the story of God’s love that crosses every barrier to meet us where we are because every life matters to God. John 3:16 captures God’s mission of love highlighting three truths: (1) “For God so loved the world…” God’s love is global stretching across borders into every tribe, tongue, and nation. God desires a love relationship with every person who has ever lived, is living today, and who will live in the future. No one is left out of God’s love; Jesus came for each one who has a willing heart. (2) “…that He gave His only Son…” God gave us Jesus, God’s only Son. God’s love is more than something temporary or material. The gift of Jesus was a gift of sacrifice and generosity. God’s love gives us the Savior Jesus Christ that we needed to rescue us and reconcile us back into personal relationship with God. (3) “…so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” God’s love that is generous and extravagant transforms by changing hearts. This generous love is not for us alone, but the love is meant to be shared by us to others extending the same grace, forgiveness and kindness God generously gives to us. The generous love we are to share is about eternity. Eternity is about relationship with God through Jesus that begins on earth and will continue forever with Jesus. God invites you to receive God's love letting God's love transform your life, to respect God's love showing God's love to others in your words and actions, and to share God's love carrying the good news of Jesus Christ to those around you and beyond.