Introduction to Love (17-25)

Nothing illustrates the depth of God’s love for us more powerfully than the life of Christ. God sent His Son not only to be with us, but for us—embracing humanity in the most vulnerable form, as a newborn child. Jesus grew up with unwavering purpose, even teaching in the temple as a boy, aware of His divine mission. He called twelve ordinary men to walk alongside Him, to learn from Him so they could later share His teachings with the world. Through their journey, we see ourselves—sometimes understanding, sometimes struggling—yet always drawn to the wonder of who Jesus was. These disciples witnessed jaw-dropping miracles, then found themselves performing miracles too, forming a brotherhood around Jesus and experiencing firsthand His triumphs and His heartbreaks.

They watched as Jesus entered Jerusalem to cheers, only to see Him arrested and crucified days later. In the midst of their grief, they discovered the empty tomb and soon saw Jesus alive, bearing the wounds of His sacrifice. All of this unfolded because God loved us so deeply that He sent His Son to die for us, to restore the relationship between Creator and creation.

This section of devotions are devoted to love, revealed through every aspect of Christ’s life—not just His birth, but His ministry, His death, and His resurrection. If we focus solely on the nativity, we miss the full measure of God’s love. Jesus’ compassion was limitless, touching every person He met. He modeled authentic emotion, showing us it’s okay to express joy, sorrow, and empathy. He taught us how to pray and even prayed for us before His death, revealing how to surrender our will to God’s greater purpose. His ultimate act of love came when He willingly endured the cross for us.

Because the richness of Christ’s life can’t be captured by a single scripture, the next several days will invite us to explore different facets of God’s love through Jesus. As we move through these days, remember that the week of love prepares us for joy: Hope draws us to Peace, Peace guides us to Love, and Love blossoms into Joy.

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”  Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV

• How have you experienced God’s love in moments of vulnerability or need, and how did it change your perspective?
• In what ways can you reflect Christ’s compassion to those around you this week, especially to someone who feels forgotten or alone?
• What aspect of Jesus’ life—His birth, ministry, sacrifice, or resurrection—resonates most deeply with you right now, and why?

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing the fullness of God’s love through Your life, death, and resurrection. Help us to see Your compassion in every moment and to share Your love with those around us. When we feel lost or overwhelmed, remind us of Your presence and Your power to heal and restore. Guide our hearts to follow Your example, surrendering our will to Yours, and embracing Your grace each day. May Your love transform us and overflow to everyone we meet. Amen.