The Gift of Jesus | LOVE
“Love” is an overused word. Sometimes I forget what it really means and, worst of all, I forget where it comes from. Love didn’t start with us. It didn’t begin in marriage, childhood affection, friendship, or romance. Long before we tried to define it or manipulate it, God embodied it. This broken world has tangled love into emotion, transaction, performance, chemistry, or convenience. But Scripture cuts through the noise: love is from God… because God is love.
I need that reminder because I’ve spent most of my life guarded. Maybe you have too. That doesn’t happen accidentally. My childhood shaped me into someone who built walls first and asked questions later. My husband learned this early on and still chose me. Over fifteen years ago, he stepped into covenant with someone who struggled to receive love. That still humbles me.
When we first got married, I read The Five Love Languages like it was a college exam. I wanted to “get love right.” His love language was obvious; words of affirmation. Mine took years to uncover and didn’t fully surface until I became a mother.
Like most parents, I’d die for my daughters without hesitation. As I grew healthier as an adult, I realized something: I express love through acts of service. That’s how I breathe it out. But receiving love? Still a challenge.
People often compliment me by saying, “You’re such a hard worker,” or tell me they can count on me. And while that sounds like productivity or reliability on the surface, it’s really how I love. I take my commitments seriously because doing something well is my way of showing someone they matter. My family knows that. It’s not hustle, this is how I give hugs 🙂
But because acts of service is my love language, it’s easy to see how my sinful nature gravitates toward “working hard to earn love” even though that isn’t true love. Why is the word unconditional so hard for some of us to believe?
Even after therapy, counseling, prayer, and spiritual direction, I can still feel the pull to “earn” God’s love. To achieve it. To deserve it. If you’ve ever felt that, you’re not alone. (by the way, if you need care this season, our Care Ministry would be honored to walk with you).
So let’s pause this Christmas.
No walls.
No performance.
Just receive the greatest gift He has already given.
Take a moment. Read this slowly. Out loud if you can. Yes, be bold, even if you’re in a coffee shop. (Maybe someone else needs to hear it too.)
1 John 4:9–11 (ESV)
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. In this is love, not that we have 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.
This kind of love doesn’t ask for performance. It is not earned. It is not leveraged. It is poured out. God initiated love before we could respond to it. He defined love before we could distort it. He sent Jesus, not because we were worthy, but because He is love.
Here’s the truth we often overlook:
Love is not a feeling you achieve. Love is a Person you receive.
Let’s return to the source this season.
Not the world’s version of love.
Not even our best attempts at love.
Love began with God. And that’s exactly where we need to return.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to receive God’s love instead of trying to earn it?
- What might it look like to extend that kind of love to someone this season?
- When have you seen genuine love change you or someone else?
Written by Monica Pierce | Woodcreek Member
Questions? communications@woodcreekchurch.com
Additional Meditation
God’s Glorious and Beckoning Love
by David Alston, Woodcreek Church Member
(October 31, 2025)
Don’t fight the sun, we can not win.
How much more we lose when fighting Him!
Face your yourself toward the Son
Imbibe His glory, instead of ours
Delight in His fruit, crave His desires!
He brings harmony – our Immanuel
He wisely leads, and we can tell
When we forsake His glorious rays
And we despise the ancient of days
His beautiful life-giving radiation
Becomes hell-fire to those who spurn
The one who makes life’s wheel turn
Jesus came to us, a babe, to save us
Both God’s son eternal, and Mary’s little one
By being both old and young, God eternally won
His heart’s desire: our love and trust
And after young Jesus grew, He died
God’s prodigy experienced the other side
Of that radiant life-giving energy
Turned against even the eternal trinity
Praise our LORD, who can do more?
Who can be both future and before?
The Father of the old and new Adam?
Knowing creation, every life and atom
Having done all, he desires you
To be His partner in life too
This devotion was written by members of the Woodcreek Church congregation. We invite you to join us this Sunday as we celebrate the God who is love.