Most people associate Christmas with love. All of us like to think of ourselves as being loving. Most people even say that love is the meaning of life. But what is love?
Love is not necessarily a feeling. It is not usually expressed in sexual attraction or sexual relations. It is not merely being nice to people or doing good deeds for others.
Love is the nature of God, for God is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). Love is a share in the divine nature (see 2 Pt 1:4). It is a theological virtue. It is both a gift and a commandment (see 1 Jn 4:19-21). Love is a way of life. We must abide in it (1 Jn 4:16). Love is usually expressed in actions, but not in random, miscellaneous actions. Love is primarily concerned about others' greatest need: to be saved and sanctified.
Therefore, if we don't share our faith in Jesus, it would be difficult to maintain that we are loving. For example, if we have food but don't give it to a starving person, how can we be loving? (Jas 2:15-16) If we have faith but don't share it with a person away from God, how can we be loving? Most practically, love means caring enough to share our faith in Jesus with as many people as possible.
| PRAYER: | Father, this Christmas time, send the Holy Spirit to make me a loving person by Your standards. |
| PROMISE: | "The man who continues in the light is the one who loves his brother; there is nothing in him to cause a fall." –1 Jn 2:10 |
| PRAISE: | St. Thomas Becket was both friend and foe of King Henry II. As Archbishop of Canterbury, he rejected the king's intrusion into Church affairs. He was assassinated in his cathedral. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College