The angel told the shepherds that this blessed event that had taken place was for everybody. That’s exciting, because it means we were in the plan; God was thinking about our needs. We live in an exclusive society, where people try to prove their worth through the exclusion, and even exploitation, of others. But Advent reminds us that God was truly concerned about us.
Advent reassures that we are remembered by God. It feels good to know that somebody is thinking about us, to know that somebody is praying for us and pulling for our success. But as good as it feels to know that people remember us, it’s so much better to know that God will remember us. With the birth of Jesus came the affirmation that God remembered us.
Everybody means that we are loved by God. God’s love redeems, justifies, sanctifies and saves us. We need more of God’s love. We spend so much of our time trying to gain the love of people, but their love is attached to approval. People will love us as long as we follow their leading, as long as we serve their purposes. God’s love is a better love, a higher love.
To really know what love is, consider Jesus. Love descended from the throne of Glory and was manifested in the form of a Child. For 33 years, Love dwelt among us, and went about doing good. Love healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and enabled the lame to walk. Love taught the scriptures with authority. Love gave hope to the hopeless and joy to the sorrowful. Love challenged the authority of those who tried to exclude us and said, “If I am lifted up from the earth, I’ll draw everyone to Me.”
Love endured inhumane suffering on my behalf. On Calvary, Love’s body was broken; Love’s blood was shed. After six hours, Love cried with a loud voice, “It’s finished; Into Thy hands I commit My Spirit,” and it looked like Love was dead. But on the third day, Love arose from the grave with all power in His hands—for all people, for all faults, for all sins, for all failures.
(We invite your comments. Feel free to share this devotion with your friends and invite them to subscribe by forwarding their email address to the Pastor at: fredjeffsmith@gmail.com.)
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