As we approach Christmas, our hearts need preparation. Not just the preparation of shopping lists and travel plans, but the deeper work of making room for the wonder of God coming to us as a baby in Bethlehem, taking on human flesh to dwell among us. This four-week devotional series is designed to help you do just that. Each week explores a different facet of the Christmas story: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
We invite you to use these devotionals each Sunday as a way to begin your week with focused time in God’s Word. Whether you read them alone in a quiet moment, share them with your family over breakfast, or discuss them with a group of friends, our prayer is that these moments to reflect will draw your heart closer to Christ our Messiah, Emmanuel, and remind you of the hope, peace, joy, and love that His coming brings to a world in desperate need.
Week 4: The Love That Prepares
Scripture: 1 John 4:9-10
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
REFLECTION
God’s love is a love that gives. In love, God the Father gave his only-begotten Son (Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 4:10). Paul wrote that Jesus, the Son of God, “loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). And those beloved of the Father and the Son receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, through whom “God’s love has been poured into our hearts” (Lk 11:13; Jn 14:26; Ac 2:38; Rom 5:5). In the gospel, our triune God of love gives himself to us and for us.
Remarkably, God’s gifts of love don’t stop there. He keeps on giving (Jas 4:6). Among His gifts are faithful Christian pastors. Paul told the Ephesian Church that Jesus, from His throne at God’s right hand, “gave…shepherds and teachers to equip the saints” (Eph 4:11-12). Pastors are gifts of God’s love to God’s people. Christ calls them to preach the wonders of His love from all of Scripture. He sends them to His flock to model His character and express His shepherdly care. Christians receive many tokens of God’s love. And every faithful pastor is one such token—a living, breathing reminder that God loves His Church.
While God’s gifts are wonderful in themselves, Scripture tells us that He gives them with a particular purpose in mind. He gives them so that we, the Church, would grow in love. He gave pastors to equip the saints in such a way that the church “builds itself up in love” (Eph 4:15-16). He gave His Son to make us into a loving people — Christians who love one another and who love the Lord our God (1 Jn 3:16; 4:7-21). So, as you think on God’s love shown in the gift of faithful pastors, and even more, in the gift of his beloved Son, may your hearts grow in love for Him, our great and gracious God, who gives and gives and gives because He loves.
SPREADING THIS LOVE
At Reformed Theological Seminary, we prepare pastors who will be living reminders of God’s love to their congregations. These future shepherds learn to preach the wonders of Christ’s love from Scripture, to model His character in their leadership, and to express His care in their ministry. When you see a faithful pastor serving your church, remember that he is a gift of God’s love—sent to equip, encourage, and point you always to the greatest gift, Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Gracious Father, thank You for Your love shown in the gift of Your Son and in the gift of faithful pastors. Prepare our hearts this Christmas to receive Your love with gratitude. Give our pastors wisdom and strength to proclaim this love in our churches, and help us carry it to our families, our neighbors, and all who need to know You. Strengthen RTS students and graduates to shepherd with Christ’s love, for the building up of Your church. Amen.
