As Christmas Day approaches, we turn our attention to the great love that prompted God to send His one and only Son to earth. We see the love of God—His affection, care, and kindness to His children—on display through each part of His Son’s arrival. In this week’s readings, we will look at some of the specific ways that God showed His people the kind of love that prompted Simeon’s praise: “My eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples” (Lk 3:30–31).
The title of each day of reading this week completes the statement “Jesus is…”
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
—John 3:16
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108 thoughts on "The Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love"
My favorite scripture
Learning about God’s love leaves me speechless.
* This is from Luke 2:30-31: “My eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples” (Lk 3:30–31).
Jesus is love ❤️ my favorite characteristic to talk about!
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Is this Tracy VanCleave from Thousand Oaks CA ???
If so we were friends at Ascension Lutheran Church
Elementary school
@Lanie H- just seeing your reply from yesterday on my post. Thank you so much. Your empathy and relatability mean a lot!! ❤️ appreciate it.
Traci, this unselfish act of love to let your dog stop suffering speaks volumes of the kind of person you are. You are doing a very loving thing. Prayers for comfort and peace in this decision.
Is this Tracy VanCleave from Thousand Oaks CA ???
If so we were friends at Ascension Lutheran Church
Elementary school
We recited John 3:16 at church this morning. I’ve never thought of it as an Advent verse, but you know, it REALLY is. ❤️
We did too!
I am also hopefilled to see as many of you before the great reunion in eternity. How awesome would either be?.❤️❤️❤️
Here on earth or in heaven would both be totally awesome !!! Would love to meet all the SRT she’s here or heaven !!!!
I am so excited for this week to focus more on the love that He has for us. Sometimes I don’t slow down enough to really receive His love. That is what I want this week, to pause and take it all in so that I can be full to love others as He has loved me.
I am so thankful for the love of Jesus!
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I first learned and memorized this verse in Spanish, as I attended a Spanish speaking youth group. I loved youth group and so thankful for my leader Consuelo who heard God’s calling to start a youth group back in the day (early 1980’s) in her garage. Happy Fourth DAY of Advent! Can’t believe we’re here already! Going to service with my kiddos again!
*Happy Fourth SUNDAY of Advent
Happy Fourth Sunday of Advent, Mari V…❤️
Thank You for Your unconditional love. ❤️ I would be nothing without you.
We have an appointment tomorrow to euthanize our little dog, sweet sweet Stella. She has end stage kidney disease and not doing very well at this stage. I’m so sad. She has given me such comfort during some difficult times. And to have it so close to Christmas. Please pray for me. I’m worried I won’t be able to go through with it. We leave for Florida on Friday and our vet thinks it will be better for her to not make that trip. She is skin and bones, not eating much at all, and her heartbeat is rapid. Thank you. Love to all of you.
Oh sweet Traci….so sorry about your little dog, Stella. I know our furry little friends bring us such comfort and so glad your little Stella was there for you. Praying you will be comforted among your family in Florid.
Sorry Traci, prayers.
I will be praying for you, too. Our pets mean so much and give us so much love. It’s always a hard loss. ♥️
Oh Traci, I will be holding you and yours and Stella in my prayers. Our furry friends are more than just animals..
Sending you hugs covered in strength for what you will be facing tomorrow..
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BUT GOD..
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this, Traci. Our pets mean so much to us, don’t they? Will be praying for you. ❤️
Traci, I am so sorry for you and for Stella, and will be praying for both of you. Most of our pets lived long lives and had natural deaths, but we did have to choose euthanasia for a 10 year old Min Pin that we loved. He had stomach cancer with no hope of healing. That’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced so my heart goes out to you. Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
I am so sorry about Stella’s health, but agree that letting her go is the best decision for Stella. I had to make the same decision years ago with a pet (my only ‘friend’ through a stressful, doomed relationship) that was suffering from a terminal illness. I tried everything, multiple vet consultations, clinical trials, anything I could find, spending money I couldn’t afford. After a particularly hard day for her, I realized that she was miserable with very little quality of life – still one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, and also one of the kindest.
Praying, Traci ❤️❤️❤️
Im so sorry, Traci. God comfort you in this time. You are doing the “right” thing. ❤️
So sorry to hear this, Traci! Sending prayers fur peace and comfort as you say goodbye to Stella. ❤️
Billy Graham has said that Heaven is a perfect place
So that means that my dog will be there waiting for me.
Prayers for comfort as you grieve the loss of your dog. I believe you are doing what’s best for Stella. ❤️
Awe…..sorry about your pup. Praying for comfort and strength❤️
So sorry. Our pets are family and love us no matter what. Praying for you as you provide the most loving care to your Stella❤️
I heard read B I n a book by Babbie Mason that John 3:16 sums up the Gospel. For God so loved He gave His only Son!! God loves you and me!
Where would I be if it wasn’t for the love of God??!!
There is no greater love on earth or in heaven than God’s love.
I am so thankful, grateful, blessed – that God loved me, so much that He sent His Son to die for me. Thank you God — Thank you Jesus!!
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Happy Christmas Sunday – love you all! ❤️❤️❤️
Happy Christmas Sunday to you Sharon! And Praise God for Jeff’s healing treatment, and that is a celebration!!
Happy Christmas Sunday dear Sharon…❤️
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Love is such a complex word-
It is a deep, penetrating feeling that can cause so many emotions to overflow out of us. It can cause joy, grief, selfishness, and pity, and cause us to act a nut. Love- is an all-encompassing, gut-wrenching, cliff-jumping emotion that is like nothing else. We love to love, we hate to love, we need to love. But yet- we don’t love everyone- there are those, many, most-really- that I don’t like to love, or want to love, no way no how. But God—
HE IS LOVE. He IS Good. He gives us a way to love when it seems impossible. It is a gift from him to us, then us to others. I want to look at everyone like God looks at them. With an open heart, an ungrudging heart, a simple heart of empathy. Can I have that Lord? Can you give it to me?
Lord help me show LOVE this week and beyond! To EVERYONE. To those that don’t think they deserve, to those with walls up, to those that are angry and selfish, to those that are broken. To those with broken hearts, to those that are different from myself. Lord, you came for that love, that we may be like you and give your love.
I love you She’s like sisters and dear friends! You all are a gift! I can’t wait till our big reunion one day! (I still think that it could be possible before then with our SRT FB page connection- one day we could all meet up at a big SRT conference!! Let’s bug Rachael and Amanda!)
I was gifted a SRT BIBLE by a dear, sweet friend yesterday—it is SO beautiful just like her! I LOVE it!
Have a great Sunday and week of LOVE She’s!
Happy Sunday Rhonda! ❤️
Love everything you described Rhonda. You have a gift with words whether you see it or not. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
“I want to look at everyone like God looks at them” Love this Rhonda!! I’m writing this down! YOU Rhonda, have blessed my heart!! I, too can’t wait for that reunion some day!!
I am also hopefilled to see as many of you before the great reunion in eternity. How awesome would either be?.❤️❤️❤️
Echoing our She sisters! ❤
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It’s an amazing love that we can’t fully understand; unworthy and yet freely given. Thank you, Lord.
Yes indeed, hard to fathom! Thank you Lord!
It truly is AMAZING, Wendy B.❤️❤️❤️
I have been following along with SRT for a number of years, but I think this is the first year that I am more consistently reading through Advent and sharing it with my children. I married someone who attended a Methodist Church, so although I did not grow up with Advent, it has grown like a seed planted in me. This is the first time in the years that we have been celebrating and sharing Advent with our children that we will light the Love candle on our at-home Advent wreath because usually by this point, we have become so distracted and hurried by the season that everything falls by the wayside. This year is different. More than ever, I have given up on the hustle and bustle and busyness of the season and chosen to keep it as simple as I can so that I can actually appreciate it. I feel the longing for our Savior’s return, the need for the world’s redemption, gratitude and sorrow for being stuck between the “already” and the “not yet.” Thank You, God, for all of this. Thank You for bringing all of us here. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for keeping every promise You have made. Thank You for leading us closer to You with each choice we make to choose You first. We love You. Thank You for first loving us. Amen.
Colleen, this really touched my heart! Praying you are doing well! ❤
Colleen, thanking God for you and your journey to us.. He is good.. Always..
Much love to you..❤️
Good to see you, Colleen, and thank you for your touching words.
Thank you for sharing ❤️
Colleen…joining the others this morning and SO glad your here with us. Hope you stay for the years to come.
Love that you have grown close in his presence! That was my “word” this year because I wanted to KNOW He, himself, was In ME!! Always, no matter the day, or circumstances! It is hard to grasp even growing up a Christian!! But it made a difference focusing on his presence daily as I left my quite time….and went through my day, when fighting with my husband, in sadness, in anxiety and fear, and in distraction- the word kept rising in me to put it in the forefront of my mind! You know what happened besides comfort, peace, and steadfast faith?! Transformation! I love how God is alive and moving, and transforming us with the INDWELLING if the Holy Spirit! A topic I would love to study more!Thank you for your testimony Colleen!
My older sister passed away on December 6th. This Advent has been such a blessing.
I am grateful that God has met you and blessed you in this season in spite of the sorrow and grief. I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Sincere condolences, Tina. So glad you are here! ❤
Praying for comfort. May your memories bring a smile in this season.
I am so sorry for your loss, Tina. Praying you know His Peace and Hope and comforting arms this advent season..
Emmanuel.. God with us.. God with you..❤️
Keeping you in my prayers, Tina. I am so sorry for your loss
I’m so sorry for your loss. May the Lord’s comfort, strength and peace meet you at this time of sorrow
Praying, Tina, as you go through these first holidays. I am sorry for your loss. ❤️
I’m sorry for your loss. Prayers for you.
So sorry for your loss Tina, may God comfort you with His love this Christmas season. ❤️
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you at this time.
I’m so sorry for your loss, dear Tina. Praying God’s comfort and peace for you and your family. ❤️
I’m so sorry Tina for the loss of your sister. Praying for comfort.
Oh…Tina, I am so sorry for your loss. So glad your here with us. WE are here for you, and though we’ve never met in person KNOW you are loved and covered in prayer.
Amen, prayers Tina.
So sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort in our loving God’s arms.
I am so sorry for your loss. ❤️
Amen
Amen
As a mother whose son is her one and only child and the source of so much joy and absolute delight and wonder, I can now more clearly see and understand what deep and sacrificial love our God has for us. To simply be away from your precious child is pain enough, but to give him away and offer him up as a sacrifice is completely incomprehensible in my finite mind. But our God did that for us. He loves us that much, to sacrifice His most precious son so we can have life now and forever. It’s too amazing to grasp. What great love indeed!
YES! Agree! What great love indeed!
Right?!?!
God loves by giving…
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His Son.
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His Spirit.
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His salvation.
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His peace.
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His wisdom.
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His Word.
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His blessing.
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His protection.
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Thank You, Lord.
Oh what abundant love the Father lavishes on us!! Truly a reason for hope, peace and joy this holiday season.
Praise His holy name!
❤ beautiful!
Amen Kelly!
So so good, Kelly!
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Amen!
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Love you, sister..❤️
Amen❤️
Amen ❤️
❤️❤️❤️
AMEN!!!
Amen
Thank You Father!
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I am so so very thankful for the HOPE I have in Jesus, that brings me the PEACE of heart i need in all circumstances, which then fills me still, in those moments, with the JOY the Lord brings, and most definitely and assuredly covers me in LOVE. HIS love. The love of Jesus!
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JESUS IS LOVE..
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Always has been.
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Always will be..
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Forever shall be..
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BUT GOD..
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Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
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Happy fourth Sunday of Advent!
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Covering you all with love and hugs…❤️
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Thank you, Tina. Love you! Happy Sunday!
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Amen
Thank you Tina! Have a blessed day!
Love you sweet Tina!
Thank you for taking the time to share these sweet words, Tina. Merry Christmas!
Peace joy and love to you all
And you! Love that you are here everyday, for years, with us!
Jesus is Love! John 3:16.
What a simple and powerful statement. So easy to remember and draw upon and yet so powerful at a time when we need it.
I am grateful to be here reading this in the time of advent alongside my fellow She’s and knowing that we all belong to a kingdom higher than this. That brings me peace and joy this season and I pray that you guys are feeling that peace and joy too x
♥️…YES! Amen!!
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“a Kingdom higher than this” Love this Jessica!
❤️ (the pink heart doesnt show!)