Advent Week 4: Love
- Cory Snyder
- Dec 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Four Weeks of Advent: Preparing for Christmas and Eternity
Advent is a season of anticipation. The word means "arriving" or "coming", and it is a central theme in all the scriptures. In the Old Testament, God's people were waiting or anticipating the coming of the promised messiah of God, the Chosen One. The arrival of Jesus of Nazareth, a baby born of a virgin, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, satisfied their waiting.
Today, God's people look back at the first advent of Christ with celebration and praise (Christmas), but look forward in anticipation for the second coming/advent of Christ.
Over the next four weeks, we will post a theme of Advent to help us prepare our hearts to celebrate the Incarnation (Christ made flesh) and encourage us as we wait for his second coming (The Day of the Lord).
We will use scripture readings, reflections, and prayers. Over these four weeks, an Advent reading will take place during our Sunday morning worship.
Week 1: Hope - Isaiah 9:2-7
Week 2: Peace - John 14:23-27, 16:33
Week 3: Joy - Luke 2:1-11
Week 4: Love - 1 John 4:7-12
Week 4 Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12
1 John 4:7-12
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
Reflection
True Love’s greatest display is seen in Christ taking our place on the cross.
True Love comes only by knowing God and believing in Jesus.
True Love is perfected within every believer
Demonstrating God’s love is how others know that we are true believers.
The Display of Love
How does the world know that it is time to celebrate the “Christmas Season”? Display’s. Without stores redecorating, radio stations switching music, and people decorating their houses, this “holiday season” would probably pass most by. It’s all the displays that remind us to shift gears this time of year.
We did not come up with this idea. God is all about displays. Here in 1 John a key word is “manifested.” God making Himself known, revealing Himself, has always been for all to see. All Creation testifies to His glory (Psalm 19; Romans 1:19). His Holy Word communicates His eternal perfection and plan. And in Christ, from His being sent by the Father to His exaltation in glory (Philippians 2:5-11), is all about display!
And this grand gift of God is wrapped in one word: Love. Why this magnificent display? Love! Why send His Son? Love! Why save sinners? Love!
As creatures made in the image and likeness of God, what He does we are to do. John tells us that “we love, because He first loved us” God displays His love, we display His love. Participation is not optional, it’s not a nice suggestion, it’s natural for the believer. When Jesus healed the blind man he could see. Seeing wasn’t optional, it was actual. When God pours His love into believers, they love. So, decorate your life with it.
Love is the best display.
Spreading This Love:
Worship: When you worship Jesus, you are expressing your inexpressible love to Him.
Walk: Loving others will only be possible when you walk in the love of God
Witness: Lights are the most recognizable part of the Christmas season. Decorate with Love and let your light shine before men.
Prayer & Hymn
Gracious Father, thank you for your love shown in the gift of your
Son. Bless each heart that has considered Your word, Your promises, and Your grace in Christ over these last few weeks. Prepare our hearts this Christmas to display your love with cheerfulness. Amen.
Comments