Incarnation: A Costly Sacrifice-Advent 8 (2015)

The Incarnation was a very costly move.

It was costly for the Father.

It was costly for the Son.

And yet, God did it.

Why?

The Bible tells us that the Incarnation is the perfect expression and revelation of Divine Love. And strange as it seems, love and sacrifice are intimately connected.

John 3:16 “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.

1 John 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins

It’s Christmastime and many people give gifts to those they love. My son, remarking on how many of his friends are getting engaged this Christmas recently wrote, “Engagement Season…because nothing says ‘I Love You!’ like seasonality.”

The truth is that Christmas is a time of Love coming to mankind.

And Easter is when it was shown in its fullness.

Thought for the day: Love gave the gift of the Incarnation. The Incarnation is the gift of perfect Love.

Questions for reflection:

1. Read Ephesians 2:1 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions– it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” How is God’s love shown to us in the Incarnation?
2. Read 1 John 4:16 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.” How does the gift of Love at Christmas keep on giving even beyond Easter?
3. How might you give to others this Gift who keeps on giving?

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Incarnation (2015 Advent Devotional Series) began November 29th.  By way of reminder, if you haven’t signed up yet, you can receive these devotional studies in your email throughout Advent 2015 by entering your email address on the SeminaryGal.com home page in the space provided in the sidebar.  Or “Like” the SeminaryGal Facebook page to access them there.  If you like these devotionals, I’d really appreciate your letting others know so I can continue to spread the Good News far and wide.  Blessings to you, in Christ always, Barbara <><