Advent Week 4: Love — The Love That Moves Toward Us First
By Bianca Schaefer
Advent reaches its climax with love — not sentimental love, but the fierce, pursuing love of God that refuses to leave us as we are.
In the Christmas story, love takes on flesh. Love cries, grows, walks, listens, heals, and ultimately sacrifices. Advent reminds us that love didn’t stay distant or theoretical; it moved toward us.
Love That Comes Close
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14
God didn’t send a message; He came Himself. He didn’t shout from a distance; He stepped into our world, our limitations, our humanity.
This is the miracle of Advent: Love moved first.
Before you ever reached for God, God reached for you.
Before you ever prayed a prayer, He had already come near.
Before you ever loved Him, He loved you.
The Love That Transforms
God’s love isn’t passive. It doesn’t just comfort; it changes us. True love refines, restores, heals, and reshapes us into Christ’s likeness.
And this kind of love is not earned. You cannot outrun it, out-fail it, or wear it out. Advent invites you to receive love as gift, not a wage.
Sometimes the hardest part is believing we are actually loved. But Christ’s arrival is God’s eternal declaration:
“You matter. You are seen. You are worth coming for.”
When Love Feels Hard
For many, love during the holidays is complicated. Relationships feel strained. Memories hurt. Expectations weigh heavily. Advent doesn’t pretend those tensions don’t exist — it speaks directly to them.
God’s love is steady when ours is shaky.
God’s love is faithful when ours is inconsistent.
God’s love holds us even when we don’t know how to hold others well.
Advent love is not sentimental; it’s sacrificial. And that is why it has power.
A Practice: Lighting the Candle of Love
As you light the fourth candle this week, let it symbolize the nearness of Christ’s love. Invite Jesus into the places where love feels incomplete or painful.
Whisper this simple prayer:
“Love of God, come close to me.”
Let the warm flame remind you that His love reaches into every shadow and brings light.
Scripture Meditation
“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19
Sit with those words. Let the order of them soften your heart.
Reflection Questions
Where do you sense Jesus inviting you to receive His love in a deeper way this week?
Who might God be calling you to love with patience, grace, or tenderness during this season?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for coming close. Let Your love reshape my heart and heal the places that feel tired or tender. Teach me to receive Your love fully and to share it freely. May Your love fill my home, my relationships, and my spirit this week. Amen.