John’s Summary of the Meaning of Christmas

Text: 1 John 4:7-16

Reflection and Question: Today what we celebrate is God’s love in sending Jesus, the Child of God, to us. God is love and God loves us: both noun and verb at the same time. And the simple consequence of that awesome truth is also the meaning of this day: since God loves us so much, we also ought to love one another. This is why we give presents today, to mark our love for one another. I am so glad John has reminded me of that reason for the Christmas season. There are no qualifications of any sort here, thank God. Those who abide in love abide in God and God in them. How do you abide in love?

Prayer: Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas; star and angel gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus but wherewith the sacred sign?
Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine;
Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.
(Christina Rossetti 1885 United Methodist Hymnal, 242)

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).