As we celebrate Jesus’ first coming this Christmas, we’re celebrating love. Love incarnated! The Lord of heaven and earth became human.
Yes, He was born to die for us. What an undeserved and gracious gift of His love for sinners like you and me. It’s astounding.
Lately, I’ve also been enveloped in His love for us as we endure suffering, pondering Jesus’ earthly life. Because Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, humbled Himself as a human who walked through every possible temptation and trial we could imagine, He’s as filled with empathy, compassion, and mercy to us today as He was when He walked the earth (Phil. 2:8; Heb. 4:15-16; Heb. 13:8).
Our “older brother,” who lived a perfectly sinless life while He endured immense suffering and temptation, knows all of our individual weaknesses, anxieties, sinfulness, angst, frustration. God knows our every thought. And yet, He loves us, with an everlasting love for those He redeemed.
Love of Jesus as we suffer this Christmas
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace.
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
(“Silent Night,” Mohr, J., P.D.)
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
(“Love Came Down at Christmas,” Rossetti, C. G., 1885)
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 Jn. 4:9-10 ESV).
Abide in the love of Jesus
As we suffer this Christmas, Emmanuel beckons us:
In other words, based on the Greek and context, “Remain in My love, yoked to My love, in close communion with My love, in continual dependence on My love, obeying My Word of love, keeping My commandments in love, in intimate fellowship with My love, enduring this challenge by staying with Me and My love for you.”
In the midst of this trial, we have His complete affection. Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love, in Christ (Rom. 8:38-39).
Beloved in Christ, are you also finding that suffering itself becomes a place of close abiding because we’re so needy? Are you dwelling in His deep love for you today?
Do you truly know His deep love for you, in both your heart and mind?
Joy of Jesus as we suffer this Christmas
Hear Jesus as He approached His own final suffering and prepares His followers to endure intense suffering in this fallen world:
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (Jn. 15:11 ESV, emphasis added).
Abiding in His Word, abiding in His love, produces His joy! He gives us a fullness of joy, even as we walk through suffering.
Are you yearning for joy this Christmas? Is your suffering squelching your joy?
JOY!
The Greek for “joy” means a “calm delight,” the same word that describes the wise men’s reaction.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy (Mt. 2:10 ESV).
It’s the same word the angel provided to the scared shepherds.
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Lk. 2:10 ESV).
As we’re “grieved by various trials” (1 Pet. 1:6), it’s the same exact word…
Wow.
So could it be that, as we suffer, abiding in the LOVE of Jesus Christ is connected with our JOY?
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
(“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice,” Neale, J. M., P. D.)
A Playlist to abide with Jesus as we suffer this Christmas
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!
(“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” Brooks, P., 1868)
Beloved in Christ (this is what He calls us!), the love of Jesus can produce our joy amidst suffering! How I yearn for it, don’t you? His Word links the two!
The deeper the empty well as we suffer, the deeper is His endless supply of living water, as His indwelling Spirit illuminates Scripture to our hearts and minds. What a Comforter.
Emmanuel calls to our hearts to abide with Him, in His love. So, maybe…this Christmas? Let’s both remain with Jesus. Let’s spend time in His Word of love to us and respond like the wise men and shepherds, with worship.
Might He produce a calm delight of His joy, filling our hearts and souls, even in this Christmas that includes suffering?
I’m praying for you, dear reader, that He will do so. He delights to give good gifts to His beloved children (Jas. 1:17).
Will you then join me as we sing to Him, as we worship Him in song, even through tears of suffering and pain? I’ve made a Christmas music playlist to help each of us sing of His love and joy in personal worship time this Christmas week. Would that help you? If you’d like it, sign up here and it will come to your email!
Praying you have a very special Christmas, abiding in His love and joy, beloved fellow-sufferer!
