Lori Fahrbach, Children’s Ministries Program Coordinator and Member

1 John 4:7-9
7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

Reflection:
God is love. If we love God, his love flows through us so we love others. Seems simple enough, but understanding love is no easy task. I try to explain love with feelings, art, music and nature. One thing alone is not big enough to encapsulate all that love is. Why am I so desperate to understand? I think the reason is found in the first sentence. God is love. If I understand love, I better understand God. 

During the season of Advent, I often find myself thinking of Jesus the baby; how through Jesus, love became human. Not a big powerful human but a humble, tiny, and needy baby human. God could have sent his son in any form but he chose a baby. Why? By thinking about God’s choice of a baby, I learn more about love. I learn more about God. 

Love is humble. A baby is unconcerned with social power and ranking. They do not think about how to climb the ladder or which outfit is most flattering. They simply love because they are loved. 

Love is tiny. A baby is not looking for big gestures or proclamations of love. They experience love by hundreds of tiny acts each day: a diaper change, a bottle, a burp, a goodnight song. All these tiny acts add up to love. 

Love is needy. Is there anything needier than a baby? They do not move, they cannot feed themselves, and they know nothing of personal hygiene. Also, the hardest part for me personally, they do not know how to sleep (insert yawn here). Neediness exists for several reasons. Survival is one reason, but another reason is connection/relationship. Relationships are not instant. They, too, have to be tended in order to exist and grow. As baby’s needs are met, deep relationships are formed. Love is formed. 

My understanding of love is still a work in progress. Thinking of baby Jesus lying in the manger helps me see love, and God, a little more clearly. During this season of Advent, let God’s humble, tiny, and needy love fill your hearts and flow from you. “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God…” Love is God. 

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for your gift of love. Thank you for your gift of Jesus. During this season of Advent, let your love flow from us so others see you. Help us love one another. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.