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As we come to the end of this week, my heart circles back to the depth of God’s love. We started with Abraham on Mount Moriah—standing in a place none of us would ever want to be—his obedience pointing straight to the heart of God. The Father who would one day give His own Son for our salvation.

From there we moved through Isaiah’s prophecy, where the suffering Servant carried our griefs, bore our sorrows, and took our punishment. We looked at the life of Jesus—how He came close, how He served, how He loved first, even when it cost Him everything. Day after day, passage after passage, Scripture keeps lifting our gaze to a love that bends low and gives deeply.

And if you’ve felt the weight of it all—the cost of His love, the depth of His sacrifice, the kindness He showed when we least deserved it—you’re right where John wants us to be.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters… let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16–18 (NIV)

John’s not giving us a definition of love; he’s giving us direction. He’s helping us trace a straight line from the love we receive to the love we extend.

So before we go any further, let ask ourselves:
How is God’s love toward us shaping the way we love others?

Here’s one simple way it hit home for me…

The other night we got in from a long drive out of town. All I could think about was how nice it would be to curl up on the couch with a blanket, but there was too much waiting for me. I’d have to let the dog out, clean up the mess we rushed out the door and left behind that morning, finish folding the laundry, and get dinner started before I could even think about sitting down. But when I walked through the door, I stopped in my tracks. Nathaniel had taken care of everything while we were gone—cleaned the kitchen, wiped down the counters, folded the rest of the laundry, and even made sure the dog was fed and settled. I didn’t ask. I didn’t hint. He just saw the need and stepped in.

That’s the kind of love John’s talking about. Love that shows up. Love that pays attention. Love that lays something down for the good of someone else.

And it doesn’t have to be big to matter. We can lay down our lives in small ways every day.

So what might it look like to lay down our lives?

• • Stepping out of your comfort zone to serve God.
  • Choosing someone else’s good over your own comfort.
  • Giving in a way that stretches you, not just in a way that’s convenient.
  • Offering forgiveness before the hurt has fully settled in your own heart.
  • Serving when you feel worn down because God is calling you to show His strength.
  • Praying sincerely for someone who has wounded you, trusting God to work in both hearts.

These choices may feel small, but they’re not insignificant. They mirror God’s heart, reflect His light, and point back to the One who loved us first.

And maybe that’s the shift God wants us to make. To do more than simply admire His love. To let what we’ve been reading shape how we think, how we give, how we serve and respond to the people around us this Christmas.

Because when we love this way—humbly, generously, willingly—we’re sharing the beauty of Christmas. We’re sharing His gift.

Before you go, I’d love to invite you back on Monday as we begin Week 3 of our Advent journey. We’ll be talking about the transforming love of God–a love that guides and shapes the way that we live.

And if you’d like to share what God is teaching you, come join the conversation in our Facebook group. We’d love to hear your thoughts and grow together.

This Week’s Printable

Here is this week’s printable. Click the image to view and print a higher resolution.