Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

I discovered this poem by Christina Rossetti when I sung an arrangement of it in a Christmas show. It was published 133 years ago and has deeply touched my heart.

Today is the second day of Advent. So, again, imagine with me that we are lighting a candle, the candle of Love.

During this season we celebrate the birth of the messiah, Jesus. But just like today, back then, not everyone believed. As humans, we long for proof. As this poem says, “but wherewith our sacred sign?” How shall we know that this baby born is actually our savior?

The answer is, love.

According to this poem, love came down at Christmas. It came down from heaven to the world that was in desperate need. It’s not of this world. It’s far beyond our understanding, and certainly greater than our labels and human examples.

Love came down at Christmas. With the baby born in a manger, love entered our earthly existence.

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12

So the question is, what did we have before Jesus? If we didn’t have love, what was it? The world knew obligation, fear, and ritual, but we didn’t know love.

Love came down at Christmas. Jesus, God incarnate, could have come as anything he wanted. He chose to enter the world as a baby – lovely and perfect.

What kind of experience have you had with love? Has your version of love been conditional, full of threat, or routine? Has the love you’ve known built you up or shut you down? No matter what you’ve known as love, Jesus came with a gift just for you.

The gift of pure, unconditional, powerful, and perfect love. Love shall be our token – our sign that God is real. It’s a gift just for you. Congrats on your beautiful bundle of joy! Merry Christmas!

Joyfully,

Season

Joy Bringer’s Advent