Advent Week 2: Candy Hearts, Broken Hearts, Rescued Hearts

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

When I was in elementary school, candy conversation hearts were the gift to give on Valentine’s Day. Before the age of computers and the internet the young people of the world communicated their feelings with a candy heart! Not only was it candy, but you could thoughtfully choose what expression you wanted to share with a person. If someone gave you a heart that said BE GOOD or SMILE, it wasn’t much. You could eat those! But, if a MARRY ME or a KISS ME candy came your way, that was serious business! We hung on to those, because they held a near promise of love!

As we grow up, we learn a whole lot about love. The good and the heartbreak. Sometimes we narrowly define love as only an intense emotion or a passionate desire for someone. When chasing after only this kind of love, we can easily fall into the trap of trying to earn the love of others around us by how we look, what we do, or the things we say. When we do this, love becomes like those candy hearts; small, easily broken, and lacking substance.

In Scripture, there are different kinds of love. The love called Agape is the highest level. Agape is not a feeling, it’s an action. It is selfless, sacrificial, and not contingent on any value. It is the perfect definition of the immeasurable love of God. It is His ongoing concern for lost and fallen people. It is undeserved and without any conditions. And as Scripture tells us, love is the essence of God, for God IS love. We cannot win it, we cannot earn it, and we cannot buy it. We rejoice in this Advent season that this perfect love came down to earth and poured over us when we didn’t deserve it. Agape rescued us.

1 John 4:8-11

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

As 1 John tells us, our role as children of God is to love as He loved us. Those around us should not have to earn our love. They don’t even have to deserve our love!

As you celebrate the Love of God this Advent, seek out ways that you can share that love with others!

Pray:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your perfect love. We give thanks that your love was more than a feeling, but the action of sending your son, Jesus, to earth. Forgive us when we don’t share that same love with those around us. Show us opportunities to teach others about true love! Amen.

More Posts

A Nudge Toward Obedience Led to Gospel Games

This article was written by Nikki and Kory Jordan, founders of Gospel Games. It is a paid partnership. Obedience. It’s a word that can feel heavy—almost intimidating. It can stir up thoughts of restriction, obligation, or even resistance. But what if that’s not how God wants us to see it?

Read More >

Take Time to Celebrate Easter, Not Just Execute It

As the Easter season quickly approaches, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of planning, rehearsals, enlisting additional volunteers, and ensuring that every detail of the kids’ services goes smoothly. After all, Easter is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, and the pressure to

Read More >

NextGen Ministry for the Whole Church

This article was written by Crystal Mazzuca, Hyfi Kids Content Editor and Resource Specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources. This is a paid promotion. When you hear the term “NextGen Ministry,” what comes to mind? Do you picture a space devoted to kids and students where they can be loud, messy,

Read More >
INCM

Get Your Free Faith Formation Questions!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Policy Review Framework!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Trauma Assessment Resource!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Creating Moments Guide!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Prayer Experience Guide!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Get Your Free Felt Safety for Kids Guide!

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.

Receive Encouragement, Get Exclusive Offers, and Much More

By submitting the form, you're opting in to marketing emails from INCM. Your email is 100% safe.