“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 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” (1 John 4:9-10). 

During holiday seasons, sometimes we can feel alone and without a loving presence in our lives. This passage should always remind us that we are never alone, and we are never without the presence of love in our lives.

John writes that in Jesus’ birth, the presence of God was manifested (revealed) among us. No longer would there be a barrier or distance between God’s presence and humanity, but God would take on flesh to intimately be present among us and show us His great love. And beyond that, He would go further still: while we were still in our sins and were not showing love to Him, the Father would send His Son to die on the cross. Jesus, who knew no sin, would willingly become a sacrifice for our sins on the cross, becoming that great gift of love and sacrifice.

What a great blessing to have a God who would sacrifice His most precious Son to reconcile us with Himself. And what a great blessing to have our great Lord, Christ, willingly lay down His life for us as our propitiation (sacrifice). Let us cherish this great gift of the love and presence of God manifested among us, for us, and give Him great praise and gratitude for this rich, kingly gift!