"the Gift Of Love: A Heartfelt Christmas Story"

Introduction:

Good morning, beloved family in Christ! As we gather here in this beautiful Advent season, we are invited to reflect on the miraculous gift of love — a love that changes everything. Today, I want to share a heartfelt story, a story that teaches us about love, sacrifice, and hope during this special time of year.

Tell your neighbor There is nothing like the love of God!

It is the most overwhelming thing I have ever encountered in my life. It is the greatest thing God ever did for any of us! The reason I can say that is this, because He loved us, He was moved to do everything else that He has done. Allow me to say this morning that John's epistle has a 4-fold purpose.

That our joy might be full. (1:4)

That we might not sin. (2:1)

That we might know that we have eternal life. (5:13)

That we ourselves might love others.(4:11)

Let us take a moment to open our hearts as we turn to the Word of God. Our primary text will be 1 John 4:9-10: “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.”

1 John 4:7-21 (The Message Bible)

Focus 7-10

The Gift of Love: A Heartfelt Christmas Story

7-10 My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.

Certainly! Here are three key points to introduce before diving into the heartfelt story in the sermon titled "The Gift of Love: A Heartfelt Christmas Story":

Point 1: The Nature of Divine Love

-Scriptural Reference: 1 John 4:9-10 reminds us that God's love is unconditional and sacrificial.

- Explanation: This love is not only a feeling but an action—He sent His Son to show us the depths of His care for humanity. We reflect on how Advent is a time to embrace that love, understanding it as the foundation for our relationships with one another.

- Application: As we experience God's profound love in our lives, we are called to share this divine love with those around us.

Point 2: The Impact of Love in Our Lives

- Scriptural Reference: Romans 13:10 states, "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

- Explanation: Love acts as a transformative force that can heal wounds, mend broken relationships, and bring joy. During the Advent season, we are especially reminded of the importance of love in creating community and belonging.

- Application: We can think about how our acts of love—big or small—have significant impacts on the lives of others and ourselves. Reflect on the faces of those in our lives who might need a little warmth and care right now.

Point 3: Embracing the Spirit of Giving

- Scriptural Reference: Acts 20:35 teaches us, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

- Explanation: In the spirit of Advent, we are called not just to receive love but to actively give it away. True giving reflects the love of Christmas—where we extend grace, kindness, and generosity to others.

- Application: This Advent, consider creating new traditions of giving and service, where we reflect on the love of Christ by sharing it in practical ways in our communities and beyond.

A Heartfelt Story: The Five Beautiful Christmas Ornaments

Once upon a time, in a small, snowy town named Willow Creek, there was a little girl named Sarah. Every Christmas, Sarah would look forward to decorating her family’s tree with her mom, who had a special box of ornaments that they had collected over the years. Each ornament held a cherished memory, a story carved in glass or stitched in fabric.

One year, as the first snowflakes fell gently, signaling the start of Advent, Sarah noticed that her mother seemed more thoughtful than usual. Her mother, Rachel, was dealing with the recent loss of her husband. Christmas had always been a joyful occasion for their family; however, this year felt different, overshadowed by grief.