For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.(Isaiah 9:6).

There is a stir in the air and we can sense it; there is no doubt about it, we are entering into a new season. As time passes by we find that we experience many different seasons in our life and these seasons are taught in the book of Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. One of the greatest seasons spoken of in Ecclesiastes is “a time to love.” The epitome of this special season is the celebration of Christmas, which is the greatest love story ever told: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3: 16).” The idea that love came down from heaven in the form of a man to redeem us from our sins is most profound and is revealed in 1 John 4:8: “He who does not have love does not know God, for God is love.” The message of love is the central theme of Christianity and Jesus often spoke about it. Jesus taught us to “Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might” (Mark 12:30), He taught us the golden rule – “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12: 31), and He also taught us the importance of loving everyone, including our enemies and the unlovable. (Luke 6:35).

The Christmas season is a time when people’s hearts are more receptive to receive the message of love. This season also offers us a great opportunity to share our faith with others. Love is an action word, not just a feeling, and we should think about our actions during this season. Are we willing to go the extra mile and reach out to the lost, lonely and hurting people in our communities? Have we thought about ways in which we can share God’s love with others? Are we exhibiting the right kind of behavior that sends a loving message? Our blueprint for success is found in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8: “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” Love is the glue that holds us together, one to another. It is the driving force that will resist any obstacle that tries to keep it from reaching its goal. Love is the power of God within us that needs to be unleashed for the sake of all mankind. We, the church of Jesus Christ, are beings of light in a very dark world. Who will go and preach the gospel of God’s saving grace through His Son if not us? Who will reveal the beautiful wisdom and much needed guidance to the lost if not us? Whose hands will be extended to touch the widows and orphans, the hungry and down-trodden if not ours? And whose arms will envelop the sick and broken-hearted if not ours? Who will go out and share the Word of God to those imprisoned if not us? Who will share His comfort and peace to the hopeless, anxious and fearful if we do not? This is the calling on our life – that we have love one for another. Let us be many voices calling out in the wilderness, drawing people in by our love and leading them to the Lord.

Christmas truly is a season of love, hope and charity. Let us take this opportunity to engage in a dramatic expression of God’s love by extending our good will and love to all. Let us take a step out of our immediate circle and comfort zone to seek out those who are lost, forgotten and lonely during this season. May we find His love in our hearts and exhibit it in all our words and deeds and perhaps this will be our greatest season to reap a harvest for the Kingdom of God. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 16).
 
Marisa is a contributing writer for The Good News, in addition to several other publications. Her published works can be read at: wordslingergal.wordpress.com, and she can be contacted at [email protected]