“Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
star and angels gave the sign.”
The first line of this stanza of this hymn written by Christina Georgina Rossetti says it all. Above all else, it is Divine Love that is at the center of the Christmas story.
Divine Love is the essence of God’s nature; it’s not just a quality or attribute of God, but the basis for everything God is and does.
The story of Christmas reflects this un ique Love, showing how the Creator entered creation motivated solely by selfless, sacrificial, transformative and life-affirming love. This Love isn’t something we earn—it’s given freely and invites us to build deeper relationships with God, ourselves, and others.
The Incarnation, God becoming human in person of Jesus of Nazareth, reveals the power of Divine Love. Through his actions and teachings, Jesus showed how awesome this love can be and inspired a movement that continues to influence people today. His life encourages us to forgive others, promote healing, and help restore our world, following his example. Reflecting on Christmas reminds us that making a positive difference in the lives of others isn’t just for the holiday season—it’s something we are called to pursue throughout our entire lives.
Indeed, with the yearly celebration of the birth of Jesus, we are cognizant of the fact this pursuit is challenged by the reality of the world in which we live. Forces that seek to undermine our efforts at forging peace, goodwill, reconciliation and hope are ever-present. Yet, we will not cower in the face of such opposition but rather press forward with courage, conviction and commitment.
Let this time refresh our hearts with gratitude, peace, and a renewed sense of purpose. May we carry these values beyond December, making each day a testimony to God’s enduring love and joy.
A most blessed, joyful, and peaceful Christmas Season, along with a purposeful and productive 2026 to you and your family from me, Carla, and the rest of the Provincial Anglican Family.
God bless.
