Introduction

Christmas is a time of joy, hope, peace, and celebration, but at its heart lies the most important theme of all: love. The story of Christmas is the story of sacrificial love—a love so deep and enduring that it changed the course of history. It changed my life, and probably yours, too. This love is woven throughout the events leading up to the birth of Jesus, expressed in the lives of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus Himself.

Let’s reflect on the sacrificial love in the Christmas story and consider how it can inspire us to love more deeply, selflessly, and courageously.

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Mary: A Mother’s Love

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, his message was strange and startling:

“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.”

Luke 1:30-31 (NIV)

On a side note, I am always amused with the depiction of angels in Christmas decor and plays. They are usually gentle-looking, tame, like cherubic children. The reality of their appearance must be much different from that, though, because the first thing they always say to people who see them is, “Don’t be afraid!” I assume from this that they must be terrifying to behold.

Anyway, back to Mary and her encounter with Gabriel. Mary was a young woman—likely a teenager—when she received this shocking assignment. She could have doubted, or maybe even refused. She could have allowed fear to overshadow her faith. But instead, she responded with incredible humility and obedience:

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Luke 1:38 (NIV)

Despite the fear, uncertainty, and potential social fallout, Mary chose to trust God. And based on my experience with pregnant women, I am confident that Mary’s love for Jesus began to grow as soon as she recovered from the shock of Gabriel’s visit. As her body began to nurture the mysterious baby growing inside her, Mary embraced her role as His mother. Her love for Jesus became a picture of the tender, sacrificial love that defines motherhood.

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Joseph: A Protector’s Love

Joseph faced an equally challenging test of love. When he learned that his fiance was pregnant, he could have publicly exposed her, protecting his own reputation. Instead, he chose a path of grace and courage. After an angel appeared to him in a dream, Joseph embraced the unbelievable truth that Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:20-21 (NIV)

Instead of protecting himself, Joseph chose to shield Mary from shame and danger, even at great personal risk. In a culture where their situation could have made them social outcasts—or worse—Joseph protected Mary and lovingly stepped into the role of earthly father to a child who was not biologically his. Out of love, he accepted what must have been a daunting assignment. I mean, how do you raise a child who was conceived by the Holy Spirit? Joseph’s selflessness and commitment stand as an excellent example of love in action.

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Jesus: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Of all the examples of sacrificial love in the Christmas story, none compares to the love of Jesus. Before His birth, Jesus existed in perfect unity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, dwelling in heaven—a place of complete peace and joy, untouched by pain or evil or sin. Yet He willingly left all of that behind to come to earth as a helpless baby.

Think about what this meant. The Creator of the universe humbled Himself to take on human flesh, relying on His earthly parents for survival and enduring the struggles of human life. As Paul writes in Philippians:

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

Philippians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Jesus’ birth was just the beginning of His sacrificial journey. He knew the path ahead would lead to rejection, suffering, and ultimately the cross. Yet He came anyway, motivated by His boundless love for humanity, for you and for me. While He was here, He reminded His friends (including you and me):

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Love Came to Live Among Us

The Christmas story is a powerful reminder that God Himself is the source of all love. As the Apostle John tells us:

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Through Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, we see love lived out in ways that challenge us to reflect on our own lives. Their stories call us to consider how we can embody sacrificial love in our relationships, our communities, and our world.

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Reflect on Love

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, in spite of the extreme busyness of these days, we should take a few moments to reflect on these extraordinary examples of love. Let’s also consider the ways we’ve experienced love in our own lives. Who has shown you sacrificial love? Who has inspired you to love bigger and bolder? How can you live into that, in big and small ways, as you go about the next few days, and the days, weeks, and months beyond Christmas?

The love of Christmas is not just a cute little story for a kids’ Christmas play—it’s a reality we’re invited to fold into the way we lead our lives. God’s love for us, demonstrated in the life and sacrifice of Jesus, empowers us to love others with courage and selflessness.

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Conclusion

The love of Christmas is a love that changes everything. It’s the love of a young mother saying “yes” to God’s plan, of an earthly father offering protection and grace, and of a Savior leaving the glory of heaven to rescue us. This is the love we celebrate at Christmas—a love that transforms hearts and brings light into the darkest places.

This season, let’s slow down in the midst of the busyness and reflect on the love that came to live among us. Let’s celebrate the good in this mostly evil world, remembering that God’s love is greater than any darkness we face. And let’s share that love with others, letting it shine brightly as a beacon of hope.

I would like to carry the love of Christmas with me, not just on December 25th but every day. How about you? We need to remember that God’s love is not ours to keep, but something we must share generously. God will give us more. May we be inspired by Mary’s trust, Joseph’s courage, and Jesus’ sacrifice to love others boldly and selflessly. For in loving others, we reflect the heart of God, who is love.

Will you share your own stories or reflections of love in the comments?