Sacrificial Love

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

As a father myself I know the joy of giving, it’s something I enjoy doing for our children and now our two grandsons. It’s fun to watch the pleasure of others receiving and seeing the delight on their faces. Maybe our giving involves a small amount of sacrifice but that is often out-weighed by the pleasure of the moment. 

In a few days time we’ll be celebrating Christmas and the greatest gift of all. This was a gift that cost the giver everything, it was probably not easy and, knowing the outcome, it possibly was painful. Yet our Father gave. He gave his only son who came to the world, embracing our humanity, with one simple aim in mind. He came to become, and to show us, the way that we could be reconciled to the Father. He came to bring us back home. He came to show us we are loved in the same way as he is loved. 

This gift cost the Father everything but he did it because he wanted a family. He wanted his family to return to him. 

And so at Christmas, we celebrate the beginning of our journey home. It started as it continues, in simplicity and weakness. It is a gift for those whose eyes can see, for those who have a childlike heart to receive the greatest gift of all.  

Have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends, the next Weekly Signpost will be in the New Year.