“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life”
(John 3:16).

Love = Deep and tender feelings of affection, devotion; expression of affection.

“Theol” = God’s benevolent concern for mankind

Verb = Expresses action, existence, occurrence

“Love” is used to express many different things. We say we love fried chicken, ice cream, etc.; but would we give our lives for it? We “love” certain TV shows, shopping malls, etc. How loosely we use the word not thinking about its real meaning. “Love” is sometimes expressed as a substitute for lust. Hollywood writers create scenes in movies that portray all forms of sexuality as love. As a consequence, we have lost the real meaning of Love.

To get a correct definition of love, we turn to what God says it is (Paraphrased by me):
“Suffers long, is kind, doesn’t envy, doesn’t brag on itself, isn’t vain, behaves in a godly manner, looks after others’ welfare as if it were his own, doesn’t have a short fuse, doesn’t let its mind dwell on evil nor enjoy seeing evil in others, rejoices in the truth, takes everything in stride rather than having negative reaction, looks for the best in others and expects it of them, is full of hope and perseveres victoriously through life day by day.” (1 Corinthians 13)

Nothing in the history of mankind demonstrates Love better than the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gift that God gave the world to redeem it supersedes anything the wisest man on earth could have imagined. “Love is a Verb.” God gave--an action, an occurrence. He gave His ‘only begotten,’ and His only begotten agreed to be given--for the sins of all mankind from Adam to the last person that will be born on earth.

The action of Love requires a receiver. A gift needs a recipient to be complete. Even in Jesus’ day, God’s gift was rejected. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not,” (John 1:11). Those who did, received eternal life; and that formula is still in effect today: “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

God gave the world a ‘gift that keeps on giving.’ It has endless benefits and multiplies each time it is shared and given to others. It is bottomless; you can’t exhaust its supply.
A perfect celebration of Christ’s birthday would be to, first accept the Gift He has given us; and then to give the Gift to someone else with the permission and admonition to them to give the Gift to someone else. Years ago, a song was popular that said, “I’d like to teach the world to sing.” Wonder what would happen if those who have received the Gift that God has given us would sing and practice, “I’d like to teach the world to love,” based on the Love that God gave? How could we “teach the world to love”?

First, we would have to explain and demonstrate what true Love is and where it originated, the first Giver. We must live it and give it in a desirable manner, as in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is a “verb” that is understood universally. It is a language that began when God placed the first man on earth and expressed to His creation by Him continually throughout all the ages since. It is an action comprehended by the senses; the blind can see it, the deaf can hear it.

“Love is a verb.” Being an action, we can demonstrate it best by letting the world know about the Greatest Gift that was ever bestowed by love upon the world, given as a free Gift to be shared and shared and shared and shared…….

There is someone just waiting to receive this Gift of Love that we can give them. Will we demonstrate it in a way that they will desire to receive Him from our outreach of Love? What a way to celebrate Christmas! God gave, we received; we give, others receive and begin the cycle all over again to be repeated until Jesus comes in love to relocate us to a place of eternal Love He has prepared for those who accept His Love.

“Whoso is wise, shall observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord” (Psalm 107:43).

Be blessed with a loving, giving Christmas! If you haven’t yet experienced the greatest Gift ever given, make this Christmas a receiving time; and understand why Love is a Verb.