This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:9–11 NIV).

As we eagerly await the birth of the Christ Child, our days are filled with preparation. We decorate our Christmas trees and our homes; shop for gifts; send Christmas cards; bake the family-favorite cookies; attend Advent services, choir rehearsals, and program practices; entertain guests; plus a dozen other things!

Growing tired and weary from the stress and busyness of the season may cause us to be less than loving. At those times our attention is often focused on getting everything done just perfectly rather than on the Christ Child, whose birth is the real reason for celebration.

Love Explained, written by Pat Biar, Nederland, Texas

Love Explained