What Is Love?

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this morning the fourth Advent Candle, the 'Candle 
Of Love' has been lit. We can read the scriptures, hear the songs, but yet for many 
the question is still not answered. What Is Love? Love a word that is familiar to  
many, thanks to the lyrics of the Beatles:

"Love, love, love, There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung. Nothing you can say but 
you can learn how to play the game. It's easy. All you need is love, 
Love is all you need." 

In the words of the wise Love is:

Brian, age 7,

"Love, it isn't always just how you look. Look at me, I'm handsome
as anything and I haven't got anybody to marry yet!"

Mae, age 9,

"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do
with how you smell .... that's why perfume and deodorant are so
popular."

Greg, age 8,

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty
important too."

Mary Ann, age 4,

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him 
alone all day."

Chris, age 7,

"Love is when mommy sees daddy all smelly and sweaty and still says
he is more handsomer than Robert Redford." 

My brothers and sisters in Christ love is not money and or materialism. Love
maybe something that one cannot place a value or status on. Something you 
know in your heart exists.

Rebecca, age 8,

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and 
paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all
the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."

Terri, age 4,

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

Bobby, years beyond his age of 7 in wisdom,

"Love is what is in the room with you at Christmas if you stop 
opening presents and listen." 

My brothers and sisters in Christ love, true love, comes from the heart with no 
expectations or presumptions. Such as the love Our Father Who Art In Heaven 
has for all of his children. Love that can often be found if one quits talking with 
their mouth and begins listening, with their heart.


A touch of the hand, a hug, the presence of one who cares for you. Just being 
there and not saying much. For there are basically two types of love, our love 
and God's love. Our love in the sin of the flesh often consists of money, 
materialism, status and looks. God's love is: 

Matthew 1: 23,

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name
shall be called Emman'u-el" (which means, God with us).

God the Father could have come to earth in a ball of fire, in a chariot with angels 
singing and trumpets proclaiming His presence. Instead, God of all people came 
as a baby. No balls of fire, no trumpets proclaiming. God came from a momma
in the natural process we know in the year 2003 as child birth. 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, if you were God, would you have come to earth 
through child birth? God came to earth in the form of a baby so that we may
know love, through the eyes of a child.

In the wisdom of a child, 8 year old Jessica,

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. If you
mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."

Hear these words from God's word. John 3:16,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life." 

The birth of the newborn babe is a message to all of a hope for a new tomorrow. 
Peace that one may feel as they hold a newborn in their arms. Joy, for truly God 
does make miracles come true through the birth of a baby and love. How can 
one not love a precious life of a baby in their arms?

My brothers and sisters in Christ, if God would have come to earth in a ball of fire 
or escorted by a band of angels singing and trumpets proclaiming His presence 
people would have become scared. But who is afraid of a baby?


"Look deep into a baby's eyes and see what you will find. As you look there, 
before you will be; unconditional love, a desire to be held, a heart who accepts 
you for whom you are. Look deep into a baby's eyes while the world may be 
hard and cold but in the presence of a baby there is nothing but hope, peace, joy 
and love for the very moment you are together. Unto you this day a child shall be 
born and you shall name him Emmanuel. Emmanuel, God with us. As with a 
newborn baby, God is not against us, there is no hate, no war or crime. Just hope 
for a new tomorrow, peace for the joy one feels as they hold this precious bundle 
of love."

My brothers and sisters in Christ this is the Christmas message, the message of 
Jesus coming. 

I believe we are living the Bible today. at this very moment, this very second as we 
breathe. The gift from God has been given to us in the form of a baby. Now, what are 
you going to do with this gift of life that you have been given with unconditional love? 
This gift that God has given and is greater than any gift you may find under a tree. 

Isaiah 9:6,

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the
government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will
be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace."

My brothers and sisters in Christ, look deep into a baby's eyes and you will see 
the Hope, the Peace, the Joy, the Love of God looking back at you. The Christ-mas 
story is alive this very moment if one just stops and steps away from the sin of the 
flesh and feels His presence within your heart and soul.

Luke 1: 37-38,

"For with God nothing will be impossible. And Mary said, "Behold I 
am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
And the angel departed from her."

My brothers and sisters in Christ, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus. let us 
hold onto these words in our heart and soul that the angel said to Mary, for with
God nothing is impossible. 

As we prepare not through the world but through the eyes of a child, let us rejoice. 
Rejoice, because he lives I can see tomorrow. REJOICE, because he lives, I have no 
fear. REJOICE BECAUSE HE LIVES, THERE IS A TOMORROW AND LIFE IS 
WORTH LIVING JUST BECAUSE HE LIVES. Hold the newborn baby in your arms 
and feel the ever present unconditional acceptance of God The Father in your life. 
Unconditional acceptance of you a mere sinner.

For unto you this day a savior shall be born. BE READY MY BROTHERS AND 
SISTERS IN CHRIST, FOR THE BEST CHRIST-MAS IS YET TO COME! 

May we be in prayer,

"Father, I look around this church family and see so many miracles.
Those who have overcame addictions, illness, challenges that nobody
thought could ever be overcame. As we wait, anticipate Jesus coming 
may we feel His unconditional love and acceptance in our lives. A gift 
of life is about to happen and it shall be the greatest miracle, the greatest 
gift any of God's children will ever know.
Amen.
 

LOVE
 
   12/21/03 JWM     Back to SermonsBack to Sermons
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