And as we live with Christ, our love grows more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy because he loves us and we love him too.

We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us. So you see, our love for him comes as a result of his loving us first.

1 John 4:17-19 TLB

 

This is not the traditional Christmas message. However, shouldn’t it be? The greatest thing about Christ’s coming is the gift of love he brings to us. Are your hands open to receive it?

In his book Soul Cravings, Erwin McManus talks about how bad it feels when we love someone but our love is not returned. “…if God’s love is immeasurable and unending, as the Hebrews describe Him, how deep and profound must be His sense of sorrow and rejection. If anyone knows the pain of a love unreturned, it must be God.”

​We are his creation and he loves us. He wants to have a loving relationship with us.

McManus goes on to say “This is the story of God: He pursues you with His love and pursues you with His love, and you have perhaps not said yes. And even if you reject His love, he pursues you ever still. It was not enough to send an angel or a prophet or any other, for in issues of love, you must go yourself. And so God has come.

​“This is the story of Jesus, that God has walked among us and He pursues us with His love. He is familiar with rejection but is undeterred. And He is here even now, still pursuing you with His love.”

​Mc Manus speaks to all of us – people like you and me who have a deep longing for love:

​”…God is going up and down the streets of the city, traveling the most obscure paths and untamed wilderness, walking on unnamed roads in the most desolate of places, searching for the one He loves – and that one is you and me and every human being who has ever walked this earth, has taken a breath, and has longed for love.”

​This passionate God loves us unconditionally, no matter who we are or what we might have done or not done. Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life for us. How it must hurt Him when we don’t return His love!

I pray that you may accept the love God has for you. He’s been waiting for you.

marja