Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas, Star and Angels gave the sign.
Christina Rosetti

God’s love for the world is revealed in the gospel. The entire bible narrative is in fact the good news of a loving Father who zealously pursued His children in an effort to rescue them from sin and restore them to a right relationship with Him.

To accomplish this, God sent His Son in the form of a baby, so that the world might know Him, see Him, and receive the gift of salvation available through Jesus. This is indeed the tidings of great joy we both proclaim and celebrate at Christmas!

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (NLT)

On this final week of Advent

As we draw near to the celebration of the birth of Christ, we turn our attention to the gift of love.

Although it was Christ who declared the message of God’s love, additionally, the gospel writers, most notably the apostle John, had quite a bit to share on this topic.

As a disciple, John personally encountered the love of God. In response to his experiences, he then recorded what he had seen, heard and learned. One of the prevailing messages in both his gospel and epistles, is that love is most effectively perceived through observable action…

But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
1 John 2:5-6 (NLT)

The message is simple, the tangible proof of God’s love is best expressed not only in what we say, but far more significantly by what we do.

…let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
1 John 3:18 (NLT)

Joseph, a faithful man of character

Included in both the Old and New Testament are many wonderful examples of ordinary people like you and me who beautifully illustrated this principle. However, when I consider individuals in the Christmas narrative, apart from Jesus that is, I can think of no finer example than Joseph.

If we’re honest, I think we’d all agree that Mary gets top billing in the Christmas story, yet the part that Joseph played was equally critical in the arrival of Jesus. While Mary carried Jesus physically in her womb, Joseph carried Mary emotionally, spiritually, and at the end of her pregnancy, physically as well. And make no mistake, this was no small feat on many fronts.

For starters, Mary was pregnant and Joseph was clearly not the Father. That might fly in today’s culture, but in the first century BC, this was not only scandalous, it was outright sin, and grounds not only for divorce, but also for severe punishment resulting in death.

Joseph had every viable reason to end the engagement, walk away and never look back. At one point he actually strongly considered doing this very thing, but then an angel approached him in a dream saying,

“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).”
Matthew 1:20-23 (ESV)

From a logical and practical perspective, it might have been best for Joseph to disregard this experience entirely, attributing it perhaps to emotional unrest. Yet it’s apparent by what happened next, that Joseph was convinced that this extraordinary encounter had nothing at all to do with stress and everything to do with God.

When Joseph woke from his dream, he wasted no time questioning the reality of his experience. Instead, he immediately acted upon what he had heard.

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took Mary as his wife.
Matthew 1:24

Included in this verse are two highly critical words revealing volumes about the integrity and posture of Joseph’s heart,
Joseph…did 

To be specific, Joseph didn’t merely do some things, good things, or even the things he may have thought best to do. Rather he did everything exactly as the angel of the Lord commanded. His obedient and immediate actions proved that he both believed and loved God.

Joseph did the right thing, the highly courageous, moral, brave and incredibly loving thing. His prompt response to the angel’s command was the proof of his sincere love for Yahweh, and for Mary, his betrothed.

Authentic Love

And this illustration provides a powerful picture for us today regarding what it means to truly love. Authentic love is not based on emotions, feelings, favorable circumstances, ease, or personal convenience. Instead, agape love, the highest form of love, the love that comes from God, is demonstrated not by words alone, but equally, if not more important, by actions.

And that’s exactly what Joseph did when he took Mary as his wife; and that’s precisely what God did when he sent Jesus to the world!

God bless you friends!

May you experience God’s amazing love for you in a new and meaningful way this Advent season!

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
1 John 3:18 (NLT)

Extend grace to others! If you’ve been encouraged, strengthened, or edified by this week’s post, please consider sharing Grace Notes For You with a friend.

Reflection Questions:

  • How would you define authentic love? What does it look like and how does it act?
  • In what ways have you personally experienced authentic love?
  • Reflect upon the countless ways God has demonstrated His love for you.
  • Respond by thanking Him in your own unique way. Perhaps sing, pray, dance, or maybe sit quietly in reflection.