Advent Week 2: Love Is The Light Of The World

What comes to mind when you think of the nativity scene? Behind the familiar images of the mother Mary, step-father Joseph, animals, the three Kings, and the gift is a deeper message: the entire story of Jesus’ birth is an expression of God’s love reaching down to humanity. His will was to show us what He truly thinks of us. He loves us so much that He would come to earth to die for us.

The birth of Jesus was not random or accidental; it the intentional fulfillment of God’s promise and the continuation of His love story with the world. Every person and detail in the nativity reveals something about how God loves us.

Mary, a young and humble woman, was chosen not because of status or power, but because God delights in working through the unexpected. "And Mary said, 'My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.'" (Luke 1:46-48) Her willingness to trust God shows how His love meets us where we are, not where the world thinks we should be.

Joseph, faced with confusion and uncertainty, chose to obey God out of faith and compassion. "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means God with us). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." (Matthew 1:18-25) His quiet, steady support reminds us that love is not merely emotional; it takes commitment, action, sacrifice, and choosing what is right even when it is difficult.

Bethlehem itself is a picture of God’s heart. It was small, unnoticed, and seemingly unimportant, yet God chose it as the birthplace of His Son. This is how God's love works: it transforms what the world considers insignificant into something extraordinary. A fun fact I just recently learned: Bethlehem means House of Bread. This is significant because God has sustained His people in the past by giving them bread from heaven. Now He is taking care of us by giving us Jesus. For He said, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:48) By this Jesus meant we are to consume His ways, His thoughts, His words. According to John 1, Jesus is the Word of God, and Jesus said to Satan in Matthew, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4) Humans were created with the need to consume. We have to consume food and water to survive, but the flesh calls us to consume many other things as well; alcohol, men, women, idols, content, video games, etc. This is why marketers refer to us as consumers. Yet that which they push at us and that which the flesh craves leaves us brain-dead, unfulfilled, and empty. However, if we consume Jesus' ways, His thoughts, and His Word, we walk away fulfilled, full of joy and peace that defies our circumstances.

Another way God goes against our human expectations is to have preached the Gospel to the shepherds first. They weren’t kings or priests; they were everyday workers: noted as some of the most mistrustful bands of workers in the land. Though God has likened Himself to a shepherd many times in Scripture, over time, they gained a reputation as thieves. They were also considered spiritually unclean by the leaders of that time, as their job called them to constantly be watch over the sheep, keeping them from adhering to all of the ceremonial laws and stipulations of cleanliness that were imposed upon the people. Yet God came into contact with them without dismissing or destroying them. He did not hold the same view of them as the world did. God’s choice to reveal the news to them first shows that His love is not reserved for the elite. It’s offered freely to ordinary, everyday sinners; to those who may feel overlooked or unworthy.

Even the manger tells a story about love and humility. Jesus was not born in a palace but was placed in a feeding trough. God was not concerned with luxury or appearance. This way, anyone and everyone could have access to Him without shame. He chose humility so that no one would be intimidated to approach Him. His love draws us near gently, not forcefully.

Every part of the nativity shows a God who bends low to lift us up spiritually. "Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18) A God who chooses humility over display. A God who loves so deeply that He came close, entering our world, our struggle, and our hearts. Emmanuel. God with us.

This second week of Advent reminds us that Christmas is more than a historical event; it is the revelation of God’s love in its most personal form. The birth of Jesus is God declaring, “I see you, I love you, and I desire to be with you.” It is a love that pursues, a love that comforts, and a love that changes everything.