The Word Became Flesh: The Word of Love
The Word Became Flesh:
The Word of Love
Captain Joshua Hinson
Director of Mission and Ministry
Evangeline Booth College
USA Southern Territory
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end’” (Luke 1: 26 – 33).
The Angel’s Candle
After a long season of excited anticipation, the day we have all longed for has almost arrived. We join in with the chorus of angels proclaiming the birth of the King of kings as we light the Angel Candle. Glory to God in the highest!
Throughout the Christmas story, angels appear four different times. In each case, they were messengers bringing for the word of the Lord; the long-awaited Savior is here. The Kingdom of God is at hand! The heavens had been waiting for this moment, ready to burst with excitement.
We celebrate that moment once again. May God make it fresh in our hearts. We might be familiar with the story, but as we look around, we see a world that still needs hope, joy, peace, and love. We see people who need Jesus to enter their lives, and we are excited because God still speaks light into the darkness.
Make sure you do not miss it this season. Take a moment. Pause. Reflect on the Christ child. Give thanks. Embrace the angel’s message, and vow to share it this last week of Advent. God’s love, expressed through the Babe, is too good to keep to ourselves.
The Word of Love
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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” (1 Corinthians 13: 4 – 7).
The fullness of God’s love was about to be revealed to the world. A restoring light was about to step down into darkness. God has seen man’s need and, out of His great love, sent a remedy.
“I was seized by the power of a great affection.” This is how many early Christians described their early conversion experience. When you know the love God has for you, it has the power to change your entire life. Think of who you were at the moment of conversion. Was your heart flooded with an amazing love so rich and free that you left your former life? Were you so consumed with God’s divine affection to take up your cross and follow Him? What else can we do, but offer all we have and all we are as an act of devotion to the God who would send His only Son for us?
We need love this Christmas; to feel love, and to show love. We celebrate His love this season. A love that compelled the Word to become flesh for our sake, that those who walk in darkness would be transformed by the Great Light. So that we might share this great love with our God and with this world.
So today, we pray again, that Jesus might enter our lives speaking hope, peace, joy, and love. We need you, Jesus.
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Advent Blessing
O Lord, our God, we praise You for the gift of Your Son, the Word, Jesus. He is Immanuel, God with us, the hope of the nations, the prince of peace, the joy to the world, the unfailing love in flesh. O Lord, our God, guide us. Bless us. In anticipation this advent season, we long to see the light of Christ anew. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Angola Territory
Thinking It Through
Since the love of God has shown itself in the coming of Christ into the world, how are you showing the love of Christ to others this Christmas?
Notable Quotables
"Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life." - Corrie Ten Boom
We conclude with the song quote by Captain Hinson, "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus." May He come in a special way to you this Christmas season.
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory