The Joy of Love

What are your earliest memories of Christmas? The people, the sights, the smells, the sounds? For me and my sister, Christmas has always been celebrated in New Orleans with our dad’s family. So, Christmas for us was the sound of the bands in the French Quarter, the sweet smell of beignets, and the sights of tacky Christmas lights. But more importantly, it was the joy of being surrounded by people we loved and who loved us. 

My sister and I are both married and have children of our own, yet we still spend our Christmases in New Orleans every year. We have worked hard to share these traditions with our families, making sure these experiences are instilled in their hearts and memories! My brother-in-law really took the tacky Christmas lights to heart and has become the Clark Griswold of McKinney, Texas, and he proudly represents our family with his tradition of winning the Christmas light contest in their neighborhood year after year.

For many of us, John 3:16 is the earliest verse we can remember learning from the Bible. Jesus said, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” But the story behind this verse starts with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He came to Jesus in the night, probably to avoid scrutiny from his fellow Pharisees, after observing Jesus in action. You see, Nicodemus had seen Jesus’ ministry firsthand—His miracles, His teachings, His love for the people. Nicodemus was compelled to know more about this man. Something was stirring in the heart of Nicodemus, and Jesus told him that it was the Holy Spirit that was moving in his life (3:8)—the Holy Spirit was changing Nicodemus’ perspective. 

I’m so thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit, coming and changing our hearts and giving us wisdom and power! Jesus, because He loved Nicodemus, took the time to help him understand the most important thing any of us will ever hear—that only through belief in Jesus can we be born again and receive forgiveness and eternal life. His life was never the same after this. In fact, Nicodemus lived his life for Jesus, defending Him in John 7, and was even at Jesus’ graveside in chapter 19.

Nicodemus witnessed Jesus’ love for others firsthand. He experienced it for himself, and it changed the whole trajectory of his life. Nicodemus was redeemed and saved by grace, and his life represented the love he had received from God. 

In Jesus’ final moments, Nicodemus was not afraid to stand up for Jesus, even bearing witness to Him at His burial. His first meeting with Jesus may have been in the night, but through the saving power of Christ, Nicodemus serves as an example to us today of how to walk in the light and boldly portray the love of Christ to others. 

This Christmas, may our most important tradition be pouring out the love we have received from God on those around us, boldly proclaiming the gospel, and serving others!

Questions for Thought

1. Reflect on your earliest memories of recognizing and experiencing the love of God. Pray and give thanks to Him for a specific way He has shown you love. 
2. Who in your life needs to experience the love of Christ through you and hear the truth of the gospel? Ask God for opportunities to share with them.

Daily Challenge

Find one way to serve someone else this Christmas in a physical way (meeting a need, donating, serving, etc.). What an impact we can make when we show love to others through Christ!