The Whole Christmas StorySample

Day 17 | Love Embodied

The author Gary Chapman brought the world the concept of "love languages." Christmas is the perfect time for love to be lost in translation: the one who wishes to love in gifts chooses something that makes the recipient feel totally misunderstood, the stiff side hug from Grandpa makes the loved-through-physical-touch person wonder if they are even liked, as friends or relations try to express love through a long visit, the introverted recipient is exhausted and wonders how to get them to leave.

Speaking over the last meal he would eat with his beloved disciples, Jesus doesn’t obfuscate. To paraphrase, he says, "I love you, and you’ll know it for sure because I am about to die for you. And I’m ordering you to love each other."

Love can be complicated and confusing, but if we want to know what it means, we can look to Jesus. In the way he loves us, he shows us how to love him, other people, and the world.

Prayer

Lord, help me understand the language of your love, to remain in it, and to express it to those around me every day in a way they will be able to see and hear.