Advent Devotional: Make Room for JesusSample

Day 19: Make Room for Love

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." - 1 John 4:9-11

The story of Jesus’ birth is the greatest love story of all time. It’s an account of the Almighty God sending His only son to save the world He created. That’s the ultimate show of love. God knew His son would be ridiculed, would be beaten and even put to death by the very people He so deeply desired to save. But He did it anyway because of His great love.

God is the originator of love and love is a part of His divine nature. If anyone were to ever question God’s love for them, all they would need to do is be reminded of the cross. He only had one Son and He sent Him anyway. What a gift! He made us right with Him and wiped our sin slate clean by offering His Son as a penalty for our sin. Jesus paid the immense price for our brokenness and made us right so we could spend eternity with Him. That’s an incredible picture of love.

So why is it important for us to make room in our heart for God's love during this Advent season? When we accept the great love of Jesus in our hearts, it has the power to change how we live. It impacts what we value, how we relate to those around us and how we view ourselves. It gives us a glimpse of his mercy and grace that He freely gives. We're reminded in Romans 5:8,

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

He came to the earth and died a brutal death on a cross to demonstrate how great His love is for us. Even though we sin and we fall short, He still loves us. His love isn't based on anything we can do for Him...it's all about the great gift of grace and love He wants to shower on us. Understanding God's sacrificial love has the power to transform us during this Advent season and in the days to come.

Reflect:

• How is God’s love different from the way humans quantify love?
• Besides Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, what are some other ways you have seen God's love in your life?
• 1 John 4 says we love others because God loved us first. Who in your life needs to experience God's love through you today?

Pray:

Thank God for all the ways you have experienced His love in your life. Then ask the Lord to give you the awareness and opportunity to show love to someone today who needs it.