THE LOVE OF CHRIST

Heart Prep

Pray and ask God to help you focus on His love today.

Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law,
that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

There are two things that Christmas focuses on: Jesus Christ and family. Whether you have a family of your own or you want one, or if you don’t have anyone at all, there is a family for you. God sent His Son to redeem us so that we could be adopted into His family. He loved us so much that He didn’t want us going through life all alone without any guidance and without Him, a loving Father. He made it possible that if we wanted to be a part of His family, we could be. The idea of adoption is so humbling to me. A person decides to invite a child or teenager into their life with all her problems and history and everything else that comes with her. From there on out, they do life together. The adult takes care of the child and makes sure she has everything she needs, comforts and nurtures her and makes her truly feel like she is a part of the family. The adult helps her through the rough times and rejoices with her in the good times. This child is now a new person; she has a new name and a new life. God does exactly this with us. He sent Christ to die for our sins so that we could be a part of His amazing family. He gave us a new life and a new name. He promises to help us through the rough times, and rejoice with us in the good times. He will do this with great joy because He loves Fathering us. This Christmas, rejoice in the knowledge that you are a part of the Family of God, your Heavenly Father.

Life Application

Spend extra time today thanking God for His amazing love.

Write down some Fatherly characteristics of God that you have experienced in your life.

For example: protecting, loving, etc.

Think about these characteristics. How does this change your heart towards God and what are your
next steps?