Oh, To Be Loved…

Did you ever long to be loved?

Not just the giddy, silly kind of love—but a love born of knowing and being known. A love so crazy and so deep that you can’t find words to wrap around it…

The kind of intimacy that doesn’t seem to exist in our culture…

We long for another soul to want to know us—and then to love us anyway. I guess the word we look for is unconditional…a type of love not based on performance or quotas or who we know…

We want to be loved and accepted for the mess that we are—without reservation—without critical analysis.

We desire extravagance.

Oh, to be loved extravagantly.

nativity We look at this familiar scene—Mary, Joseph, a baby—and we wonder: What does a poor family who lived 2000 years ago, on the other side of the world, have to do with us?

Only everything.

This baby, who lay in the arms of this woman, was the fulfillment of all our longings. The answer to our searching. The ultimate in extravagant giving.

Take a moment and envision a night of exquisite beauty with the only source of light a star-filled sky. Feel the emotions of a new father and mother, as their eyes meet, and they silently rejoice in awe and wonder.

Reach and touch newborn skin…feel the baby’s warm breath on your hand. And as you touch, know that you are touching…the Son of God.

Look and listen with your heart…for this night is for every seeker who longs to be loved…

For 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. (John 3:16)

Christmas matters because of our great need of a savior.

This baby was God in the flesh—even His Name shouts this truth…

Jesus!

Emmanuel!

God with us.

freedom4 33 years later, this child would willingly lay down His life on a cross to pay the penalty for our sin. To show us beautiful, sacrificial, unconditional love—without measure, without reservation…

Oh, to be loved on our bad days…when we’re not pretty, or skinny, or smart. Oh, for someone to care even a little that we’re here and that we hunger for forgiveness and restoration.

Dear Searching Friend, Jesus knows you—and loves you in spite of your flaws. He showed His love with the extravagance of the ultimate gift and sacrifice. He not only cares, but He has plans for your life.

He created you for purposeful living.

This Christmas, look to the One Who knows you—how you think, what you dream, when you cry. Reach for Him, for He is Faithful and True.

For unto us a child is born…unto us a Son is given…

Joy to our world!