L is for Love

'God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.'
The Bible, book of John, chapter 3, verses 16-18

'This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.'
The Bible, John's first letter, chapter 3, verse 16

The world has hijacked Christmas. Alright, some will argue that Christianity hijacked a pagan festival (Saturnalia, way back in the 4th Century) as a means to convert the masses, but really, if you had the best news in the world - ever - wouldn't you want to share it with others?

To return to my point: The world has hijacked Christmas. Most children (and many adults) today believe that Christmas is about a mythical big man in a red suit who lives at the north pole and delivers presents to millions of children one night each year. Well, here's the thing: Christmas is about God's Son, Jesus.

The Bible tells us exactly why Jesus was born as a baby and lived on this earth: because of God's love for humankind. There was no way that we humans could find our way back to God by ourselves. And truthfully, we didn't really want to. So God, in his love, sent Jesus to die in our place, so that those who believe in Him as God's Son and as the saving lamb who makes us right with God, can live eternally with God.

I think it's wonderful that we take time every year to celebrate, and be with our families, at Christmas. It's a haven at the end of our year, whether our year has been busy, quiet, happy, sad, or a mixture. It celebrates the most wonderful love in all existence: God's love. It celebrates Jesus.

(Not Santa.)

Much love, dear friends, from a cold and dreary Oxford.

Laura x