Why God’s Love Moves Through Us
Christmas is often described as a season of love—and that’s true.
But the danger is that we reduce love to a feeling we enjoy instead of a gift we carry.
We sing about love.
We decorate with love.
We talk about love.
But Scripture reminds us of something deeper:
The greatest gift we have ever been given was never meant to stop with us.
God’s love didn’t stay in heaven.
It came down.
And because it came down, it must now go out.
I. The Incarnation: God’s Ultimate Act of Love
1 John 4:9–10; John 3:16
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:9)
God did not love us from a distance.
He didn’t send advice.
He didn’t shout instructions from heaven.
He didn’t wait for us to fix ourselves.
He came.
Love put on flesh.
Jesus stepped into our weakness, our pain, and our brokenness—not to condemn, but to save.
Think about the difference between saying you care and showing you care. A text message matters. But showing up—sitting in the hospital room, bringing a meal, staying through the long night—that kind of love costs something.
Presence always costs more than words.
That’s what God did in Christ.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16)
Biblical love is:
- Intentional — God chose this.
- Costly — It required sacrifice.
- Giving — Love moves outward.
And 1 John 4:10 reminds us:
“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
God’s love moved first.
God’s love moved toward us.
God’s love entered our story.
Christmas Only Makes Sense Because of the Cross
Romans 5:9–11
At Christmas, we picture a baby wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger. Gentle. Humble. Small.
But Christmas doesn’t make sense unless we remember why He came.
Jesus was not born merely to teach.
He was not born simply to inspire.
He was born to die.
From the beginning, the shadow of the cross stretched across the manger.
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Romans 5:9)
The greatest gift God ever gave was not comfort or safety—it was reconciliation.
Through the blood of Jesus:
- Enemies were made family.
- Sinners were declared righteous.
- The separated were brought near.
“We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:11)
The greatest gift was not placed under a tree.
It was placed on a tree.
And because His love moved toward us, our love cannot remain distant.
II. Christlike Love Changes How We See People
Philippians 2:3–5
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves…” (Philippians 2:3)
The Incarnation doesn’t just change what we believe about God—it changes how we see people.
Before Christ, we often see others through the lens of self:
- How do they affect my schedule?
- Are they helping me—or slowing me down?
But when we take on the mind of Christ, everything shifts.
We begin to see:
- Image-bearers instead of irritations.
- Needs instead of nuisances.
- People who matter deeply to God.
Paul reminds us that Jesus did not cling to His rights. He humbled Himself. He stepped down. He took the posture of a servant.
And we are called to have the same mindset.
God’s love moves us:
- From self-protection → to self-giving
- From entitlement → to humility
- From convenience → to compassion
And if we’re honest, this is hardest during the holidays—when schedules are full and patience is short.
But that’s also when Christlike love shines brightest.
What would it look like this season to:
- Slow down instead of rushing past?
- Listen instead of defending?
- Serve without being noticed?
- Assume the best instead of the worst?
Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself—it’s thinking of yourself less.
When we see people the way Jesus sees them, our homes change. Our churches change. Our witness changes.
III. Love Becomes Our Witness
1 John 4:11; John 13:35
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11)
Love is not optional for followers of Jesus. It’s not an add-on to the Christian life.
It is the natural outcome of receiving Christ.
Jesus said it plainly:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
Notice what He didn’t say.
He didn’t say people would know us by how loudly we argue or how precisely we explain theology.
Those things matter—but they are not our primary witness.
Love is.
Genuine, Christlike love:
- Disarms defensiveness.
- Opens doors.
- Builds bridges where arguments often fail.
For many people, the first sermon they hear will not come from a pulpit—it will come from how we treat them.
Especially at Christmas.
When the church loves well:
- Lonely people feel seen.
- Wounded people feel safe.
- Skeptical people lean in.
The story of God’s love doesn’t just get told—it gets shown.
Christmas Reflected
God’s love came down to us in Christ.
Now that love is meant to move through us into a watching world.
When it does, Christmas becomes more than a story we celebrate—it becomes a Savior we reflect.
