What is love? In our culture, love is still seen as a virtue but its meaning is hotly debated. Some think that love is "warm fuzzy feelings," so to feel "hurt" is deemed unloving. Some see love as affirmation and acceptance. In this view, disagreement is unloving. Various false views of love can leave us confused and unsure. But God, who is Love, defines true love for us. He shows true love to us.

We constantly evaluate ourselves and others. Comparison can corrode relationships and creep into the church. But the gospel learned in Romans 1-11 saves and shapes us. It changes the way we see things. Paul describes this transformation in the church. The gospel transforms how we think of ourselves and others in the church. Rather than pride and selfishness, we learn humility and service.

We give ourselves to all sorts of things with something we hope to gain. We give because of what we think it will give in return. This is the way of the world. In the gospel, we learn that when we were enemies of God, He offered us salvation as a free gift by faith. But the gospel not only saves us, it shapes us. We live for God - not to get anything from Him, but because He gave us everything!

God leads us to worship Him. Those attached to His blessings are troubled when led to give things up for Jesus. Those attached to authority are troubled when taught humility. Herod, troubled and attached to authority did not act like the wise men coming to worship the King of the Jews. Following God, the wise men bowed before little King Jesus. Their actions encourage us to respond the same way.

Christmas is full of plans. But plans don’t always go according to plan. That was true the very first Christmas - at least for Joseph. He was engaged, soon to be married. Then his fiance got pregnant - that wasn’t part of the plan. But the story in Matthew helps us see the big picture. It was all going exactly according to God's plan, and that made all the difference. This wasn't a normal birth.