This week’s headlines have been heavy. So much violence and hatred leaves us reeling and grieving and wondering how a world meant for goodness became so bad. It’s natural, in moments like these, to long for peace.
But this week of Advent, we are reminded that peace does not simply begin where violence ends. Peace begins where love enters.
Hate, anger, pride, and a relentless me-first, my-way posture drive all the harm we see in our world. Scripture names this honestly: sin. Sin twists us inward, away from God and away from one another. Left to ourselves, we do not drift toward love but toward hate.
That is why Christmas matters.
Our good God did not look at this hateful, divided world and turn away. He moved toward us. Advent reminds us that love is not a sentiment or a slogan on a greeting card—but a costly, decisive act. The Father sent His Son into a world stained with cruelty and violence, not to condemn it, but to rescue it. Jesus entered our lowly estate, absorbed our sin, and displayed a love stronger than hatred and deeper than fear.
This is the love we celebrate at Christmas—not because the world is already healed, but because God has acted decisively to make healing possible. And as those who have received that love, we are called to live differently: to respond to darkness with light, to hatred with reconciling love, and to fear with hope rooted in Christ.
As we reflect this week, may we rest in the truth that the only answer to a world lacking peace is love—the love of God revealed in Jesus.
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”
1 John 4:9
Love Came Down At Christmas by Christina Georgina Rossetti
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, Love divine;
worship we our Jesus,
but wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token;
love be yours and love be mine;
love to God and others,
love for plea and gift and sign.