Text: Luke 1:46-56
Theme: 4 – Love
Sermon series: “Advent’s Gifts”
SERMON TRANSCRIPT
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Introduction: 1st part – Children’s message
Today, I want to talk about something really special—God’s love. Does anyone here like making cards? My daughter loves making “I love you” cards for our family. She puts so much care into them, and every time we receive one, we feel her love.
Christmas is like God’s “I love you” card to us. Just like the cards we make, God sent His love to us in the most amazing way—He sent Jesus!
Think about the manger. God’s “I love you” card came wrapped in a baby, born in a humble place. Jesus was born on Christmas to show us just how much God loves us. God could’ve sent anything—maybe a grand, shiny gift—but He chose to send His Son, our Savior. That’s how God says, “I love you!”
Now consider the shepherds. God didn’t first announce Jesus’ birth to kings or celebrities but to ordinary, everyday people. This shows that God’s love isn’t reserved for the rich or famous—it’s for everyone, no matter who you are.
And the wise men—they followed a star to find Jesus, traveling great distances because they knew God’s love was worth the journey. God’s love invites us to follow Him, too. It’s not always easy, but when we follow, we find Jesus, who changes our lives forever.
Finally, think about God’s promises. He fulfilled the greatest one—sending His Son—and continues to fulfill every promise He makes. Christmas reminds us that Jesus is God’s ultimate “I love you” card, showing us that His love is real, for everyone, and worth living and sharing.
Adults’ message
Do I need to say more?
Well, I’ll say just a bit more. Today, we reflect on love—this Advent Sunday is all about love. God’s love isn’t just a word; it’s an action. When God says, “I love you,” He proves it.
Imagine someone saying “I love you” all the time but never showing it. You might hope for signs of their love, but eventually, you’d stop believing them. Love in words only isn’t love. God shows us that love is something He puts into practice. Also, that love goes both ways: Love is something that is received from God and love is something that is given back to God and to the others.
When it comes to the first part, “received”, you don’t do anything. You cannot do anything in order that God would Love you more or love you less. God loves you. Period. It’s undeserved. That’s why we call it Grace. What God did for you it’s undeserved.
Another point about love we need to constantly remember is why we are loved; why are you loved by God. If you just hear all the time god loves me god loves me at some point.
Why does God love us? Imagine a doctor prescribing medicine without explaining why you need it. Over time, you’d question the treatment. But when the doctor shows you the diagnosis, you understand the need. Similarly, God loves us because we desperately need it. Sin is like a deadly disease, separating us from God. But Jesus came to rescue us, offering forgiveness and eternal life.
Why do we say, “God loves you”? Why are you loved by God? It is because you needed that desperately. You were sick because of sin and you were gonna die and you would not you will have no hope after this life. That’s why god’s love is so profound. Also, instead of saying “hey peter, or Hey, John, you go there and die on the cross for my people.” No. He sent his he sent his only son because you needed it; you were sick a mortal disease that kills you and sends you away from Christ eternally. This is why God shows his love to you: because Christ came while we were still sinners to give his life for us to rescue us from sin and to give us forgiveness and eternal life.
For that reason, love is also given. Because we are loved, we also give love—back to God and to others. That’s why we come to church, read the Bible, and live out our faith. We respond in love because He loved us first.
Christian love is a paradox. On one hand, we do nothing—God does everything to save us. On the other hand, His love moves us into action. Here’s an Illustration to bring those two realities at the same time.(show video) These boxes on the video are not moving at all, but you think they are moving right. They look like they’re moving but they are Not moving at all. So the way you can check it is by blinking your eyes really fast. You will see they are not moving. But at the same time when you stop blinking and you just look at it They’re moving.
This is an illustration of how one thing can be two things at the same. How can it be that you don’t do anything, God is the one acting in your life and giving you love, but at the same time this love moves you To live this word in your life.
We saw this in Mary’s song today. Mary shows love received when she says “My soul magnifies the lord and my spirit rejoices, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant; For he who is mighty has done great things.” Mary is exalting God’s action in love to us and at the same time we remember from other passages how she submitted herself to God’s will, even though she knew what she was going to face. She could have faced all sorts of trouble, but God provided for her. She acted in trust and in hope and in love for her God. She also says my soul magnifies the Lord my Savior. She’s showing that she and all of us, we are sinners who need God’s forgiveness, God’s redemption. From there, we respond in love. [1]
So this is one of the things I wanted to add, that love is given to you, and also given back by you.
Another reflection I wanted to add is that love is both a principle and an action. Hollywood often portrays love as feelings—falling in love, being happy. While love can bring good feelings, true love is shown in deeds. It’s about faith in action, especially in relationships closest to us. Every time you think about love, like I said before think about action not just a feeling.
This love starts inside our house. Sometimes we think about putting our faith in practice out there helping the world. But we can say that 80% of the opportunities we have to show love into practice is when it’s with your family your co-workers or neighbors down the street. People close to us. That’s why showing love can be difficult, because it’s people who know you who live with you or who see you regularly. It’s easier to show random acts of kindness, as good as they are, to people we don’t know. It’s harder to live in a daily relationship of love.
So this is why we go back to Christ as we did in our confession; we ask for forgiveness. We want to be strengthened. We want to be moved forward in terms of acting.
And one more thing when you’re thinking about God’s love: you have to think about love in full. Living in love isn’t easy. Sometimes love means saying or doing things that others don’t understand or appreciate at the time. For example, good parents don’t indulge every whim of their children; they act in love, even when it’s hard or unpopular. Think about a parent a mom or a dad trying to please their kids all the time. Everything they ask, they receive. “I want to eat 10 bars of chocolate on Christmas.” Here it is, and you can eat it all in one day. “I don’t want to go to school today.” It’s fine, just don’t go, sweetie, because I love you. This is not how it works. Similarly, God’s love sometimes works in ways we don’t immediately understand, but we can trust that He always knows what’s best for us.
There are many situations where your love is shown into practice in ways that the other person might not understand as such at that point. But there is a phrase that says: “Listen to the words of those who love you even when it’s not what you want to hear at that moment.” If that person loves you, he or she is trying to help you, even if it’s something that you will say really and that person would say with their actions really this is what god does sometimes with us We don’t understand we think we got it already figured out how our life should be and then something happens And then first thing we think is “does God still love me?” Yes, he still loves you because he’s a father who knows the best for his children So he knows always the best for you. This is love in full – we might not understand God’s action at some point, but we can always trust Him, that the lord is doing the best for you.
An illustration: Look at a picture that seems unhappy. Squint your eyes, and suddenly, a smiling face appears. In life, we may not always see God’s love clearly, but when we trust Him, we discover the joy of His perfect care. sometimes our life with Christ on the outside. We might not be showing all our teeth But on the inside we have this joy That the lord knows what’s best.
As we’ve explored throughout Advent, God’s love connects to hope, peace, and joy. His love is constant, present, and eternal. It’s not just a feeling or a word—it’s a principle and an action.
Cc – Love is not just a word not just a thought or just a feeling Love is a principle. God loves you and will love all the way In his action. He shows in his promises that he loves you and now you can act Showing love for god and for your neighbor God loves you Christ loves you and Christmas is a reminder God’s love your card
God’s “I love your cards” come on Christmas, but they stay with us. Because God’s Love is:
a principle;
an action;
eternal.
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[1] Mary’s Song is a great example of these two dimensions of Love
God’s love – Mary exalts it
Mary’s love- “Here is the servant of the Lord”
In Luke 1:46-56, we hear Mary’s beautiful song of praise, called the Magnificat. This passage shows us two important aspects of love: the love we receive from God and the love we show to God and to others. It reminds us that God’s love is both transforming and active.
In the opening verses of the Magnificat, Mary exclaims:
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.” (Luke 1:46-48)
Here, Mary recognizes that God’s love is purely gracious. It is not because of anything she has done but because of God’s mercy that she has been chosen to bear the Savior. This echoes the teaching of the Formula of Concord, which explains that God’s love and grace are completely unmerited: “We believe, teach, and confess that God the Father has mercifully sent His only Son into the world to redeem the human race from sin, death, and the power of the devil, not on account of anything we have done or deserved, but solely out of His incomprehensible grace.” (Formula of Concord, Epitome, Article II).
Mary’s song is a declaration of God’s love and grace, a love that does not look for worthiness but gives freely. It is the love of the Father who looks upon us in our humble estate, not because of our own righteousness, but because of His mercy and grace. As Confessional Lutherans, we affirm that God’s love is not based on our merit, but on Christ’s righteousness, which covers us in our brokenness.
In The Bondage of the Will, Martin Luther writes: “God’s love is a love that chooses, that elects, not because of our worth but solely according to His own will and purpose.” This is the love Mary receives, and this is the love we, too, receive. Just as Mary was chosen by grace, we are also chosen and loved by God, not for our righteousness but because of His mercy, revealed fully in Jesus Christ.
Love Shown – To God and to Our Neighbors
Mary’s response to God’s love is not just passive acceptance; it is an active demonstration of love. In verse 38, Mary humbly says, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” This shows her willing obedience to God’s call. As Confessional Lutherans, we understand that faith in Christ leads to good works, not as a means of earning salvation, but as a response to the love we have received. As Luther writes in The Small Catechism concerning the third article of the Creed, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him, but the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” Faith itself is a gift from God, and it produces in us a life of service to God and to our neighbors.
Mary’s love for God is shown in her willingness to surrender to God’s will. This is not just a passive acceptance of God’s plan but an active response to God’s grace. Her obedience is an expression of love, a love that is reflected in her service to God and others. In the words of The Book of Concord: “We believe, teach, and confess that good works are the fruits of the Spirit, a result of being justified by faith, and are to be done out of thanksgiving and praise to God.” (Formula of Concord, Epitome, Article IV). Mary’s “yes” to God’s plan demonstrates that love is not just something we receive but something that compels us to act.
Furthermore, Mary’s love extends beyond herself to those in need. In verses 50-55, she reflects on God’s mercy toward the poor, the humble, and the oppressed. She recognizes that God’s love is not just for her, but for all people. In her song, she sings of God’s justice, mercy, and faithfulness. This outward focus reflects the Two Kingdoms doctrine, which teaches that God’s love and care are shown both in the spiritual realm and in the material needs of His people. Mary’s love for God is evident in her concern for the well-being of others, especially those who are poor and oppressed.
