Finish the sentence: “Christmas is all about …” Many children (and maybe some adults!) would probably say, “Presents!!” But, of course, we know better than that. Those of us who by God’s grace know Jesus Christ as our Savior would hopefully complete the sentence with His Name: “JESUS!” After all, it is His birthday that we celebrate. How did you finish the sentence? As we consider “love” this morning, it is important to remember what Jesus said in what is undoubtedly the most familiar verse of Scripture, “God so (in this way) loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Pointing to the cross, Paul wrote, “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “LOVE” was certainly on GOD’s mind as His Son became flesh on that first Christmas night, and it should be on our minds as we celebrate His birth and give thanks for His sacrifice on the cross and His reign at the right hand of the Father … and as we look forward to His return!! Such love demands a response, and the response God calls us who believe to give is LOVE!!! We who now live in a loving relationship with God are commanded to “love one another.” To celebrate Christ’s birth we must rejoice in our relationship with God AND our relationship with other believers, living together in such a way that God’s love is displayed in us and through us as we “stir up one another to love and good works!” (Hebrews 10:24). Draw near to the Father through faith in Jesus and find assurance of your faith through the work of the Spirit of God in His Word, and then be an active part of the Body of Christ to display the amazing love and grace of God for all to see! He IS with us!!!