This year, MPCC’s theme for Christmas is LOVE CAME DOWN. When I invited some friends over for the Christmas outreach, they laughed and joked that they felt ‘unqualified’ to celebrate with us since they didn’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend. What? Why not? Perhaps the word ‘love’ has been overused and misused. After all, everyone talks about it – many singers sing about love and there are thousands, or even millions, of books about love! But must we have a boyfriend or girlfriend before we can love, or celebrate love?
When I first heard the theme, I immediately thought of 1 Corinthians 13. Verses 4-7 reads:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
This is the kind of love we’re celebrating this Christmas! This is the kind of love that God has for us! Indeed, Love came down for the first time more than 2000 years ago. During his time on earth, Jesus demonstrated selfless love (V5: does not insist on its own way), sacrificial love (V7: bears all things – even to the cross!) and He loves us in a way that gives us hope.
Well, are we capable of such love? On our own, we have no capacity and capability to love like this, but Jesus Christ has made it possible. God has given us the ability to do so!
Love is patient, love is kind. Our good Lord is waiting; He wants all of us to experience this Love that came down. Especially during this time of pandemic and much turmoil, let us come to Him – the source of love. Some of us may be facing crises in life – losing someone dear or battling sicknesses – our Lord Jesus Christ extends His love to you.
It doesn’t matter our situation – whether we’re married, single, divorced, or widowed. God’s love is sufficient for you. I’m sure that here in MPCC we have all experienced for ourselves and are still enjoying this Love that came down. That’s the reason for Christmas, so let us also share this Love with those we love! May we all encounter the Love that Came Down this season.
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