The Cost of Compassion: Embracing Inconvenient Love During Lent

Explore four Christmas traditions to start this year, including reading the story of Jesus' birth, giving gifts with a deeper meaning, engaging in unique and fun family activities, and attending a Christmas service together. These traditions will reinforce your family's faith, provide a strong sense of security and belonging, and emphasize the true purpose of the holiday season.

As we approach the final Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves on the threshold of Christmas, reflecting on the profound gift of love that God has bestowed upon humanity. This love, manifested in the birth of Jesus Christ, challenges us to reconsider our understanding of God and invites us to exchange our worldly fears for divine love. The story of Christmas is a testament to God's unfathomable love. Imagine the Creator of the universe choosing to enter our world as a vulnerable infant, born in humble circumstances to parents who were themselves unprepared for the magnitude of their role. This act of love was so radical, so unexpected, that it causes us to marvel at the continuity between the God of the Old Testament and the God revealed in Jesus Christ. As the apostle John boldly proclaims, "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Yet, as we contemplate this divine love, we must confront a powerful force that often prevents us from fully embracing it: fear. Fear is a formidable adversary, binding us tightly and limiting our vision. It obscures our true identity as beloved children of God and blinds us to the inherent worth of others. Fear stifles our potential, makes us hesitant to welcome strangers, and can even drive us towards violence and hatred. But here's the good news: God's love has the power to cast out fear. As we read in 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." This verse challenges us to let go of our fears and exchange them for the boundless love that God offers. However, this exchange is not a one-time event. Fear has a way of creeping back into our lives, often manifesting as anxiety about the unknown future or apprehension about how others will receive us. Every day, in every interaction, we face the possibility of rejection or misunderstanding. This fear can paralyze us, preventing us from sharing God's love and the hope found in Christ's story with those who desperately need to hear it. Practical Application: Living Out God's Love So how can we practically live out this love and overcome our fears? Here are a few suggestions: Set a goal to show love intentionally. Challenge yourself to find 20 ways to love your neighbor this week. Start small if needed, but push yourself to grow in this practice. Reach out to those who may be lonely or questioning. The Christmas season provides a perfect opportunity to invite someone to experience the story of God's love in a welcoming environment. Be willing to sacrifice for others. True love, as demonstrated by Christ, involves self-sacrifice. Ask yourself, "What am I willing to give up for the sake of showing God's love to another person?" Let your actions speak louder than words. Live in such a way that others see God's love reflected in your life and are drawn to it. Prepare yourself to push through fear. When you feel fear creeping in, have a plan ready. It might be a silent prayer, revisiting encouraging Scripture passages, or reminding yourself of God's love and calling on your life. Remember the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. When told of her extraordinary role in God's plan, she was initially afraid. But the angel's words, "Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God" (Luke 1:30), gave her the courage to say yes to God's call. Like Mary, we too are beloved by God and chosen to play a part in His plan to bring love into the world. The Transformative Power of Love As we embrace God's love and allow it to cast out our fears, we open ourselves to transformation. We become more capable of seeing others as God sees them – as beloved children made in His image. We become more willing to step into the unknown future that God has prepared for us. We become more effective ambassadors of Christ's love in a world that desperately needs it. This transformative love isn't just for our benefit. It's for the sake of the world, for those who are lost and hurting, for those who have yet to experience the hope and joy found in Christ. When we allow God's love to flow through us, we become part of His redemptive work in the world. As we approach Christmas, let's challenge ourselves to live fully in God's love. Let's push past our fears and insecurities, knowing that we are empowered by the same love that brought Christ into the world. Let's be willing to invite, to welcome, to reach out, and to sacrifice for the sake of others. In doing so, we not only honor the true spirit of Christmas but also participate in the ongoing story of God's love for the world. We become living testimonies to the truth that love – God's perfect love – truly does cast out all fear. May this Advent season be a time of renewed commitment to living in and sharing God's transformative love. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us also celebrate the rebirth of love in our own hearts, a love that casts out fear and changes the world, one person at a time.