“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
— 1 John 4:16 

Love Expands During This Sacred Season

When we come together — whether through song, celebration, or simply being present — love magnifies. And we hold that love for one another, knowing that each of us arrives here from a different place on the journey.

Some may be experiencing joy.
Others may be walking through challenges.
And yet, love remains.

Love does not disappear based on circumstance.
It exists — steady, constant, and available to all of us.

True Love Is Not Performance — It Is Presence

The gifts of love are the greatest gifts we will ever give or receive.

Love does not require perfection.
It does not depend on performance.
It is not about how well we do things.

Love simply exists within us.

God loves you — no matter what.
Even when we miss the mark.
Even when life doesn’t unfold the way we hoped or planned.

We let go of the word “should.”
Love does not live in the should of, could of, or would of.
Love lives in the acceptance of the presence.

God Is Love

Scripture tells us plainly and powerfully:

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
— 1 John 4:8

Love comes from God.
And because love comes from God, love lives within us.

God’s love completes us. It makes us whole.

When we love one another, God lives in us — and that love is perfected through us.

There is no fear in love.
Perfect love casts out fear.

This is comforting truth — especially during a season when many feel overwhelmed, lonely, or uncertain.

Receiving God’s Love

We can hear all day that God loves us —
but receiving that love is a personal choice.

To receive God’s love, we must believe it exists within us.

God is not an external force far away.
God is our indwelling spirit — the Christ light within.

The Christmas spirit is not something we chase.
It is something we carry.

And when we accept our own divinity — our worthiness — we begin to truly experience God’s love.

The Birth Story Reminds Us

The story of Jesus’ birth is not polished or perfect.

Love arrived in a manger.In straw. In humility. In the middle of uncertainty.

Mary and Joseph could have focused on the discomfort —
the lack of room,the unfamiliar surroundings, the messiness of it all.

But instead, love entered the world. God enters our lives the same way —
often through unexpected places, through vulnerability, through childlike wonder.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to experience that wonder?

Love arrives — and when invited, it stays.

Love Is Our True Nature

Love does not fade when the song ends.
It does not disappear after the celebration.

God’s love is constant. We don’t just believe in God —
we believe with God. God believes in us. And with that knowing, love becomes our foundation. Jesus taught:

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains.” — Luke 17:6

Love is the highest expression of that faith.

Where we plant our thoughts —in truth or in doubt —determines what grows. And when we choose love, transformation follows.

Living in Love

Love is meant to be expressed — not withheld. Especially during the holidays, when emotions may run high or old wounds surface, love becomes the bridge.

Scripture reminds us:

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

This is the invitation to carry love wherever we go, to lead with compassion,and to see with the eyes of Christ.

Affirmation

✨ I choose to see love everywhere.

Closing Prayer

God, thank You for the gift of love.
Thank You for reminding us that love lives within us and flows through us.

As we move through this Advent season,
help us to embody love,
to share love freely,
and to recognize Your presence in every moment.

We are grateful for Your love —
now and always.

Amen.

Sunday Message — December 14, 2025
Rev. Lori Souza