Advent Week Four- Love

We Have Come to Worship Him

Advent 2025 Devotional by Rev. Lauren Green Yates

Austin Global Methodist Church

Advent Memory Verse- “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2 NLT)

Advent Week Four- Love

December 21- Matthew 1:18-25

This week, we will light the candle of love. There is so much love within the Christmas story. Love from God to us. Love from us to God. Love to one another. Today, I want to focus on an often unsung hero of the Christmas story and how he demonstrated love, Jesus’ father Joseph.

Joseph is never quoted in the Bible. We only ever see him in action. He has a dream and obeys. He embraces Mary as his wife. He leads her to Bethlehem for taxation. He finds a place for her to give birth when there was no room for them in the inn. He took care of Mary during childbirth. He observed and listened to all the wonderful things said about Jesus by an angel, shepherds, and Simeon and Anna. He names his son Jesus. He leads his family to Egypt after having another angelic dream. Joseph is led by love. He is an example for us all.

Love isn’t a romantic gesture, a feeling, or something you fall into. Love is a choice. Love is sacrificial. Love is unconditional. Joseph demonstrates this so well in the Christmas story.

This week, focus on how well you are loving God and loving others. Christmas week is the perfect time to show love to others. Afterall, love came down at Christmas!

Daily Question: Who do I need to show unconditional love to this week?  

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for the love demonstrated in the Christmas story. Because Jesus came, we know what true love is. But we also see how we can love you and one another through Joseph’s story. Help me to love like Joseph. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

December 22- I John 4:7-21

It’s not often sung but there is a beautiful Christmas Carol called “Love Came Down at Christmas”. It says, “Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign. Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine; worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign? Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine; love to God and others, love for plea and gift and sign.”

This beautiful poem turned into a song by Christina Rossetti in 1885 captures what happened at Christmas. Love incarnate was born! Hallelujah. God loved us so much that he put on flesh to be with us. Is there any love greater than this?

Of course there is. Not only was he with us but he died for us as well. We now know what true love is. It is salvation wrapped up for us in the flesh.

What is our response to this glorious gift of love? We must love God and love others. The natural response to the Christmas story is an outpouring of the love that was poured out for us. This week, make sure that you are loving both God and others extravagantly.

Daily Question: How can I show extravagant love to God and others today?    

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for the greatest gift of love. Remind me throughout the week that the natural response to the Christmas story is an outpouring of extravagant love to you and to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

December 23- John 15:9-17

Many people have wrongly said that Jesus did not give his followers commandments. They equate commandments with legalism. They want to separate Jesus from the very law he came to fulfill. The summary of the whole law is love. Jesus understood this and commanded that his followers love one another.

Jesus was sent to earth out of love. His death restored us back into relationship with the Father. Jesus knew his time to die was coming soon and so he left his followers with this simple but simultaneously difficult command: love one another as I have loved you.

Jesus laid down his life out of love. He gave his all. We are called to do the same. Again, love is sacrificial. It isn’t easy. In fact, loving one another is probably the hardest command we could have been given. But if we are his disciples we must love one another. Even if this means laying down our wants, wishes, criticisms, and previous hurts. We must love even those who have hurt us. Yikes!

Christmas time is the perfect time to ask for forgiveness, extend forgiveness, and attempt to restore broken relationships. It is the perfect time to offer unconditional love to each other. This may be the greatest gift you can give someone. With God’s help and guidance, you can love one another!

Daily Question: How can I show love to someone I struggle to even like?

Prayer: Dear Lord, Help me learn to love you and others unconditionally. I forgive those who have hurt me. I ask forgiveness if I have hurt someone. Restore the broken relationships in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

December 24- Luke 2 and I Corinthians 13

Luke 2 is typically what is read on Christmas Eve. Please feel free to read this chapter too and then come back and read I Corinthians 13. Try to see the connection between the two chapters.

I Corinthians 13 is known as the “Love” chapter. It is often read on Valentine’s Day or at weddings. But this Christmas Eve we read this chapter knowing that Jesus is the perfect definition of love.

Jesus was patient, kind, humble, truthful, not jealous, not self-seeking, etc. His love never fails. Oh, to be more like Jesus!

We can be incredibly gifted, charismatic, faithful to attend church, and even generous but if we are not led by love, it is nonsense. We can even celebrate Christmas with the best gifts, food, and decorations, but if we do not have love, we have nothing. Love must be the defining characteristic of our life, starting at Christmas.

Thank you for reading along with us this advent season. My prayer for you all is that you will be filled to the brim with the hope, peace, joy, and love of Jesus. Remember, because Jesus came we know what true love is.

Daily Question: How can I apply I Corinthians 13 to my life?  

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for the love seen in the Christmas story. Help me to love with more patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness. Help me keep no record of wrong. Help me rejoice in the truth. Help me to love like Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.