Week Four: Love
December 21st-25th
Advent ends with love, because love is how the story begins and ends. God didn’t send instructions - He sent himself. The birth of Jesus is not just the start of the Christmas story. It’s the greatest act of love the world has ever known. A love that came low, stepped close, and gave everything.
This week, we reflect on the love of God shown in Christ and let it stir love in us, for God and for others.
This week, we reflect on the love of God shown in Christ and let it stir love in us, for God and for others.
Community Practice
Whether you’re with friends, family, or even enjoying some quiet time by yourself, take a moment to put this week’s focus into practice. Start by finding a visible spot in your home to set up your Advent candles. Here are a few simple steps to guide you.
Step One: Proclaim
Light the previous three candles and the fouth candle of the Advent season, representing Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, while proclaiming aloud:
This third candle of the Advent season is the candle that represents God’s LOVE which is fully completed in the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I declare God’s Word from John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Praise God for a friend in Jesus who deeply loves us.
Step Two: Share
Encourage everyone to take a moment to share or meditate on their own thoughts, feelings, or personal experiences related to the week’s theme as the candles are lit. Whether it’s a story or simply a moment of silence, allow this time to deepen your understanding and connection to the significance of the season.
In what ways have you experienced God’s love in the previous year and how do you want to experience God’s love in the coming year?
Step Three: Pray
Spend time together praying, thanking God for the love represented by the candles and ask for His guidance as you continue through the Advent season.
Father in heaven, through the love of Christ, make each of us more into the image of your son, Jesus. Help us to express the love of Jesus to the world around us, through charity and community. May the hope, peace, joy, and love that we experience this Christmas season carry onward into coming seasons of life. Amen
Step Four: Caroling & Community
Finish your time by singing a Christmas carol together or listening to a Christmas playlist as you continue with your day. Allow the candle to stay lit for the rest of the time you are together as a reminder of God’s love this Advent season.
“Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts
Step One: Proclaim
Light the previous three candles and the fouth candle of the Advent season, representing Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, while proclaiming aloud:
This third candle of the Advent season is the candle that represents God’s LOVE which is fully completed in the birth, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I declare God’s Word from John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Praise God for a friend in Jesus who deeply loves us.
Step Two: Share
Encourage everyone to take a moment to share or meditate on their own thoughts, feelings, or personal experiences related to the week’s theme as the candles are lit. Whether it’s a story or simply a moment of silence, allow this time to deepen your understanding and connection to the significance of the season.
In what ways have you experienced God’s love in the previous year and how do you want to experience God’s love in the coming year?
Step Three: Pray
Spend time together praying, thanking God for the love represented by the candles and ask for His guidance as you continue through the Advent season.
Father in heaven, through the love of Christ, make each of us more into the image of your son, Jesus. Help us to express the love of Jesus to the world around us, through charity and community. May the hope, peace, joy, and love that we experience this Christmas season carry onward into coming seasons of life. Amen
Step Four: Caroling & Community
Finish your time by singing a Christmas carol together or listening to a Christmas playlist as you continue with your day. Allow the candle to stay lit for the rest of the time you are together as a reminder of God’s love this Advent season.
“Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts
Day 1: Love Came First
Scripture: 1 John 4:9-10
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: God loved first. That is the foundation of the gospel. We didn’t earn it or ask for it. He gave it freely, through Jesus. This kind of love is not reactive. It’s pursuing.
Pray: Father, thank You for loving me before I ever reached for You.
Contemplate: How does your life change when you live from the truth that you are already loved?
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: God loved first. That is the foundation of the gospel. We didn’t earn it or ask for it. He gave it freely, through Jesus. This kind of love is not reactive. It’s pursuing.
Pray: Father, thank You for loving me before I ever reached for You.
Contemplate: How does your life change when you live from the truth that you are already loved?
Day 2: Love That Covers
Scripture: Psalm 103:11-12
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: God’s love is vast, and His forgiveness is complete. He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west. It is not because we deserve it, but because love chooses mercy.
Pray: God, help me receive Your love without shame or fear.
Contemplate: What guilt or failure do you need to let God’s love cover today?
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: God’s love is vast, and His forgiveness is complete. He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west. It is not because we deserve it, but because love chooses mercy.
Pray: God, help me receive Your love without shame or fear.
Contemplate: What guilt or failure do you need to let God’s love cover today?
Day 3: Love That Serves
Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: We’re free in Christ. But the freedom we have is meant to express itself in love. Not in self-focus, but in service. Love shows up in what we do, not just what we feel.
Pray: Jesus, show me how to love through humble service today.
Contemplate: Where in your life is love asking you to serve instead of speak?
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: We’re free in Christ. But the freedom we have is meant to express itself in love. Not in self-focus, but in service. Love shows up in what we do, not just what we feel.
Pray: Jesus, show me how to love through humble service today.
Contemplate: Where in your life is love asking you to serve instead of speak?
Day 4: Nothing Can Separate Us
Scripture: Romans 8:38-39
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: God’s love is unshakable. No fear, no failure, no force in this world or the next can undo what Jesus has done. Love came down, and nothing can separate us from it.
Pray: God, let Your love be the foundation I stand on today.
Contemplate: What do you think holds you back from experiencing the fullness of God? And how might God’s Word speak to that?
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: God’s love is unshakable. No fear, no failure, no force in this world or the next can undo what Jesus has done. Love came down, and nothing can separate us from it.
Pray: God, let Your love be the foundation I stand on today.
Contemplate: What do you think holds you back from experiencing the fullness of God? And how might God’s Word speak to that?
Day 5: Word Became Flesh
Scripture: John 1:1-18
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: Love put on flesh. Jesus moved in. This is what Christmas means: God came close, not because we had it together, but because He refused to stay far away. He is full of grace and truth - and He is with us. Happy Christmas!
Pray: Jesus, thank You for coming near. Let me receive Your love fully today.
Contemplate: As you celebrate Christmas, how will you respond to the love that came down?
Read the passage slowly and carefully at least twice with a brief moment of silence between each reading. Ask the question, What words or phrases stand out to you?
Reflect: Love put on flesh. Jesus moved in. This is what Christmas means: God came close, not because we had it together, but because He refused to stay far away. He is full of grace and truth - and He is with us. Happy Christmas!
Pray: Jesus, thank You for coming near. Let me receive Your love fully today.
Contemplate: As you celebrate Christmas, how will you respond to the love that came down?
End of Week Reflection
Using the space below or on a separate paper, answer this question: How has this week helped you see or receive God’s love more clearly—and how might you reflect that love to someone else as you celebrate Christmas?