God's Perfect and Active Love Revealed in the Birth of Jesus Christ

 

This is the manuscript of the sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent 2025, preached at Christ Church Los Angeles Sunday December 21, 2025.  This worship service includes the Christ Church Los Angeles Candle Lighting Service

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:9-11NIV) 

The waiting is almost over. We have spent the last weeks reflecting on Hope, anticipating Peace, and cultivating Joy as we prepared for the arrival of our Savior. Today, on this threshold of Christmas, we focus on the central, glorious theme that binds all of these together: Love.

We are no longer just anticipating a future event; we are standing on the very doorstep of the fulfillment of God's greatest promise. The tension of our wait is about to break, and the Christ Child will be among us. And as we stand here, with just this one last step to take, we contemplate the profound truth that Love is the reason for Christmas. 

Without Love, Hope is just wishful thinking, Peace is merely the absence of conflict, and Joy is only fleeting happiness. But God’s Love, revealed in the birth of Jesus Christ, is the source of all true Hope, the foundation of all true Peace, and the reason for all true Joy.

Scripture 

Luke 1:26-33 (NIV) In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.

Candle lighting 

As we are gathered in this space of quiet reflection, we prepare to light twelve candles—one for each of the disciples who walked alongside Christ.

These twelve men were far from perfect. They were fishermen, tax collectors, and skeptics; individuals who often struggled to understand the magnitude of the call they had received. Yet, they represent the foundational journey of faith we are all invited into. 

As each candle is lit, we remember that these disciples were chosen not for their own strength, but for their willingness to be guided. They were the first to carry the light of the Gospel into a dark world—a light that has been passed down through generations and now rests in our hands.

Leader: The first candle is lit for Simon Peter, the Rock, who learned through failure and grace that simple, unwavering devotion is the heart of discipleship. (Light Candle 1)

Congregation: Lord, help us to leave behind what holds us back and follow You with passion.

Leader: We light the second candle for Andrew, the brother who immediately recognized the Messiah and brought his family to Him. He models the quiet, essential work of personal witness. (Light Candle 2)

Congregation: May we always be ready to point others toward the saving grace of Christ.

Leader: The third candle shines for James, Son of Zebedee, a Son of Thunder who became a vessel of self-sacrifice, proving his dedication with his life. (Light Candle 3)

Congregation: Give us courage to stand firm in the truth, even when the cost is great.

Leader: The fourth candle represents John, the Beloved Disciple, who rested on Christ's breast and taught that the essence of God's will is unconditional love. (Light Candle 4)

Congregation: Fill our hearts with Your perfect love, that we may abide in You and You in us.

Leader: We light the fifth candle for Philip, who invited others to "Come and see" the Lord, understanding that a direct encounter is the truest proof. (Light Candle 5)

Congregation: We pray to know Christ personally and to share our conviction with humility.

Leader: The sixth candle shines for Bartholomew (Nathanael), who overcame initial skepticism to instantly believe when Christ revealed His own knowledge of him. (Light Candle 6)

Congregation: Help us to be open and honest in our searching, knowing You know all things.

Leader: The seventh candle glows for Thomas, the twin, whose powerful confession, "My Lord and my God!" followed his journey from doubt, confirming the importance of faith based on evidence and experience. (Light Candle 7)

Congregation: We commit to believe in what we cannot see, sustained by Your resurrection power.

Leader: We light the eighth candle for Matthew (Levi), the tax collector who walked away from his wealth to follow Christ, demonstrating how to align our worldly priorities with God's eternal will. (Light Candle 8)

Congregation: May we choose the eternal over the temporary, seeking Your kingdom first.

Leader: The ninth candle is for James, Son of Alphaeus, a symbol of steadfast commitment and patient, humble service within the Body of Christ. (Light Candle 9)

Congregation: Grant us the grace to serve faithfully in quiet ways, valuing every task You give.

Leader: The tenth candle is lit for Thaddeus (Jude), who urged us to contend earnestly for the faith. His life reminds us of the continuous effort required to maintain a strong spiritual foundation. (Light Candle 10)

Congregation: Strengthen us against all compromise, that we may hold fast to the truth of the Gospel.

Leader: The eleventh candle shines for Simon the Zealot, whose fiery earthly passion was transformed into a holy zeal for Christ’s spiritual revolution. (Light Candle 11)

Congregation: Transform our earthly passions into a holy zeal for Your name and Your purposes.

Leader: The final candle, the twelfth, is lit for Matthias, chosen to restore the apostolic number, confirming that the work of the Gospel will always continue, guided by the Lord. (Light Candle 12)

All: Lord Jesus, you are the Light of the World. As your first Apostles spread your light, let us, your current ambassadors, carry this holy light from this place into our homes and to the world, that all may know the peace and salvation born this night. Amen.

Text:

1 John 4:9-11 (NIV) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

I. Introduction

Welcome to this final Sunday of Advent.

The waiting is almost over. We have spent the last few weeks reflecting on Hope, anticipating Peace, and cultivating Joy. Today, on this threshold of Christmas, this coming Thursday, we focus on the central, glorious theme that binds all of these together and that is Love.

As we stand and sit here, we contemplate the profound truth that Love is the real reason for Christmas. 

Without Love, Hope is just wishful thinking, Peace is just the absence of conflict, and Joy is only fleeting happiness. But God’s Love, revealed in the birth of Jesus Christ, is the source of all true Hope, the foundation of all true Peace, and the reason for all true Joy.

God’s love is radical, unconventional, and it is active.

• God's Love is Personal: God's love finds us exactly where we are, not where we pretend to be. God’s love is intensely personal and recognizes our value.

• God’s love isn’t just a feeling or a theory; it took on a physical body and a human life: The promised King isn't going to send an executive order or an army. He is coming Himself. The Creator of the universe became  a vonerable, human baby—the most tangible, selfless expression of love imaginable. 

John 1:14 NIV The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Let’s look again at the first verse of our text;

1 John 4:9 NIV This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 

• God's Love is Eternal: 

This is the very essence of the Christmas story: Love acted. God did not just feel love for humanity; He sent love. He became love, so that we might truly live.

John 3:16 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

III. The Charge of Love 

We have witnessed the profound, radical love of God in the coming of Jesus. Now, what does this Love require of us?

Let’s look at our text again 

1 John 4:11 NIV Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

God’s love is not merely a comforting thought to enjoy as the Christmas season unfolds. It is a command and a mission. 

We are called to Love Actively: Just as God sent His Son, we are called to send our resources, our kindness, our mercy, our forgiveness, and our service into the lives of others. Love is not a noun we possess; it is a verb we practice. Our love is shown in action.

• Forgiving someone who hasn't asked for it.

• Seeking out the lonely.

• Serving those who cannot repay you.

If love is merely a "noun" (a possession), it would stay inside us but because our love is a "verb" (an action), it flows through us. We become the physical evidence of God's grace. When we "practice" love, we are essentially personifying the Gospel for others to see.

We are called to Love Unconditionally: Remember what it says in our text;

1 John 4:10 NIV This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

God loved us when we were still separated from him.

Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Our love for others should not depend on whether they deserve it, agree with us, or can return it. True Christ-like love seeks the well-being of the other, without condition.

As we move from Advent into Christmas, this is the ultimate preparation we must make: preparing our hearts not just to receive God's love, but to give it away. The greatest gift we can offer to the Christ Child is our willingness to be channels of His Love—to let His generous spirit shine through us.

IV. Conclusion: The Incarnation of Love (3 minutes)

The Love of God did not stay distant in heaven; it came down to earth in the person of a child. May that extraordinary, active, and eternal love fill your hearts, guide your steps, and overflow from you this Christmas season and forevermore.

Heavenly Father,

We stand in awe as we look back at that quiet moment in Nazareth. We thank You for the courage of Mary, who opened her heart to Your guidance and allowed Your Love to take on flesh and bone. We thank You that Your Love did not stay a distant concept in the heavens, but that it "moved into the neighborhood" to find us exactly where we are.

Lord, we confess that too often we treat Your Love as a noun—something we merely hold onto or keep for ourselves. Help us to remember that we are Your ambassadors, chosen to represent Your heart to a world that is hungry for reconciliation.

When we encounter the lonely, the frustrated, or the hurting, let us not just "feel" love; let us be love. May our actions be the physical evidence of Your invisible grace. Give us the strength to forgive the unforgivable, to serve the invisible, and to love without conditions, just as You loved us while we were yet sinners.

May the Christ Child find a home in our hearts, and may His light shine through our hands and feet. We don't want to just celebrate Christmas; we want to live the message of Christmas every day.

In the name of Jesus, the Love of God personified,

Amen.

#LoveIsAVerb #LoveOneAnother #ReasonForTheSeason #ChristmasIsLove #IncarnationOfLove#UnconditionalLove #BeTheLove #1John4 #GodsLoveInAction #FaithFoundation

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace Through Faith

This is the manuscript for sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent 2025 at Christ Church Los Angeles. "Peace Through Faith”

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’ (Luke 3:4-6 NIV)

John the Baptist, reminds us that true peace begins with inner preparation. True peace requires us to clear away the obstacles in our hearts and align our lives with God's will. It is a call to repentance and readiness. As we reflect on the Prince of Peace, let us actively pursue the transforming peace that comes through obedience.

The valleys are the low places of our lives—the pits of doubt, despair, and depression. These are the places where we feel abandoned, where hopelessness settles in, and where we question God's promises.

The mountains are the arrogant, high places of the heart: pride, self-will, and stubborn independence. The difficult areas are the spiritual detours and obstacles in our character: dishonesty, hidden sin, compromise, and deceit. We might believe we can take a shortcut by bending the truth or living a double life hidden from others.

The rough ways are the jagged edges and stumbling blocks in our personal life, especially our unresolved conflict

What is the power source that makes this enormous task of filling the valleys, making the mountains low, straightening out the crooked roads, and smoothing out the rough spots possible? It is not willpower alone. The energy required to level a mountain of pride or fill a valley of grief is found in unwavering faith.

Isaiah 9:1-7 NIV [1] Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— [2] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. [3] You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. [4] For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. [5] Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Introduction

We are now in the second week of Advent, which, as we said last week, is a time of preparation and expectation waiting for the arrival of Jesus Christ.

Advent first prepares us to celebrate the historical birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem—the core event of Christmas. But equally important, Advent is a spiritual reminder to prepare for Christ's promised return and finally, it calls us to prepare our hearts for Christ to come and dwell more fully within us today.

• Last Sunday On the First Sunday of Advent: We focused on Hope.

• On the Second Sunday, which is this Sunday: We focus on Peace, preparing our hearts through repentance.

• On the Third Sunday, next week, We focus on Joy, pausing to rejoice that the time of fulfillment is drawing near.

• On the Fourth Sunday, the Sunday before Christmas, when we have our cande. lighting service, we will focus on Love, celebrating God's love through the Incarnation.

If you remember last week, when the focus was Hope, we said that  Advent calls us to wake up from spiritual complacency, to watch, and to remember that our hope is not rooted in temporary circumstances, but in the certain promises of God—promises fulfilled in Christ’s first coming and eagerly awaited in His second coming.

Because we are called to be people of hope, sustained by an active faith, Okay, this is okay, yeah, okay, okay, okay, great, okay, okay, Daniel, okay? Good good, good. Good, all right, I'll intentionally renew our commitment to:

• Watch with spiritual alertness, trusting the certainty of His promise.

• Wait with patience, confident that He who promised is faithful.

• Work with divine love, letting our lives reflect His perfect will.

Today, our focus shifts to Peace.

In the scripture that James read at Isaiah 9:6 NIV it says For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Now let's consider Matthew 3:1-3 NIV [1] In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea [2] and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” [3] This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” 

The powerful message of John the Baptist, reminds us, as we will see, that true peace begins with inner preparation. True peace requires us to clear away the obstacles in our hearts.  It is a call to repentance and readiness. 

So our text is 

Luke 3:4-6 NIV [4] As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. [5] Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. [6] And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ”

The Call for Preparation

John the Baptist’s message was a jarring, uncomfortable one: His message was and is to Prepare! He wasn't calling people to simply do better; he was calling them to radical internal transformation.

Let’s read verses 4 &5 of our our text again 

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth

The valleys are the low places of our lives—the pits of doubt, despair, and depression. These are the places where we feel abandoned, where hopelessness settles in, and where we question God's promises. To fill a valley means to lift up what is sunken and heavy. We fill these valleys with the stones of remembrance and the solid soil of God's Word. We lift our eyes from the pit of "what-if" to the certainty of "He has done it."

The mountains are the arrogant, high places of the heart: pride, self-will, and stubborn independence. To make the mountains low is an act of humiliation and surrender. It means breaking down the fortress of self and laying our achievements, our credentials, and our agendas flat at the Prince of Peace’s feet.

The hills are the spiritual detours and obstacles in our character: dishonesty, hidden sin, compromise, and deceit. We might believe we can take a shortcut by bending the truth or living a double life hidden from others. However, the Prince of Peace requires a straight road—a life lived with integrity and transparency. 

Making the crooked straight means confessing our hidden wrongs and committing to walk uprightly, aligning our outward actions with our inward convictions.

The rough ways are the jagged edges and stumbling blocks in our personal lives, especially our unresolved conflicts, unforgiveness, and hardness of heart. These rough spots cause friction, pain, and division. When the Prince of Peace comes, the road cannot be paved with the stones of bitterness and grudges. Making the rough smooth is the difficult work of reconciliation, forgiveness, and softening our hearts toward those who have hurt us. We must choose peace, not penalty.

What is the source that makes this enormous task of filling the valleys, making the mountains low, straightening out the crooked roads, and smoothing out the rough spots possible? It is not willpower alone, it is unwavering faith.

The Message in the Carol

This challenge to prepare and to choose peace has been echoed not just by prophets, but even in the hymns we sing. 

Think about the beloved carol, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear."

Here’s the first verse

It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, goodwill to men, From heaven's all-gracious King." The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

The angels’ song of peace is still echoing, but the world is still too distracted to listen. 

This is the very essence of John's message for peace. We are called to stop the noise—the internal conflicts, the external distractions—and make a quiet space in our hearts to receive the Prince of Peace.

The Foundation of Peace: Unwavering Faith

This preparation John talks about is ultimately an act of faith. It is the absolute conviction that the one we are preparing for—Jesus Christ—is powerful enough and trustworthy enough to make the preparation worthwhile.

The end result of all this preparation is in verse 6 of our text 

Luke 3:6 NIV And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ”

We participate in the preparation, but we rely on God for the outcome which is the Peace and Salvation He alone can provide.

What does Philippians 4:6-7 NIV say? [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

True peace, the Shalom of God, is not found in having perfect circumstances, but in having a perfect alignment with God’s will.

The Hebrew word Shalom expresses the idea of well-being, restoration, reconciliation with God.  Reconciliation with God happens at salvation and that only happens through the right relationship with the Prince of Peace, Jesus.   

Romans 5:1-2 NIV [1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 

The peace that comes from being in a right relationship with Jesus is not a peace that depends on everything going well.  If that’s the case, when things go bad, that peace quickly goes away.   

Look at how faith makes the preparation for the Shalom of God possible:

• Faith Levels the Mountains of Pride: It takes faith to say, "My way is not the right way. God's wisdom is greater than my own." When we humble ourselves, trusting in God's righteousness instead of our own performance, the mountains of self-reliance come down.

• Faith Fills the Valleys of Fear: The experience of fear and anxiety creates a sense of emptiness and lack of foundation. This void can only be made whole by the unwavering trust (faith) that God is diligently working all things together for our benefit. 

Romans 8:28 NIV [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

This commitment from God  to work for the good of those who love Him is the basis for the divine promise found in Isaiah 26:3 NIV which says You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

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Conclusion

We can have Peace today, not because we have achieved total stillness in our lives, but because we are placing our faith in the Prince of Peace.

The Advent season is our time to demonstrate that living faith. Let us embrace the work of preparing our hearts, not with frantic effort, but with quiet, absolute trust in the Prince of Peace.

Our faith is the spiritual bulldozer that levels the rough ground, making a smooth, straight path for Christ to come and rule in our lives with perfect peace.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father we thank you for the voice of the prophets who prepared the way for your Son and our Savior,  Jesus  Christ. 

We confess that our hearts are often rugged, our paths are crooked, and the valleys of our doubt are deep. We ask for your Spirit to be with us, empowering us to do the spiritual work of preparation.

Strengthen our faith, Lord. Let us not rely on our own efforts or understanding, but on the certainty of your promise. Help us to believe, truly believe, that your grace is sufficient to level the mountains of our pride and fill the empty spaces of our worry.

Grant us the courage to live out this preparation in practical ways: by seeking reconciliation, speaking kindness, and acting justly. Let the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds.

We await the coming of the Prince of Peace with hope and with unwavering faith.

Amen.