The First Sunday After Christmas: Living in God’s Unconditional Love

Carrying the Message of Justice, Compassion, and Peace Every Day

On December 29th, our congregation gathered to continue the celebration of Christmas, reflecting on the enduring presence of God’s love beyond a single day. Through scripture, prayer, and song, we explored how the message of Christ’s birth calls us to live with justice, compassion, and peace every day.

God’s Love Before and Beyond Christmas

As we move beyond Christmas Day, the celebration of Christ’s birth should not be confined to a single moment in time. The love of God was present before creation and will continue to exist forever. God’s grace is not something that arrived on December 25th; it has always been there, woven into every aspect of the universe. Just as a grandmother welcomes her grandchildren with open arms and unconditional love, so too does God welcome all of us, always. This reminder was central to our service, as we reflected on the passage from Luke 2 and its message of divine love and presence.

A Call to Carry Christmas Forward

It is easy to get swept up in political and societal divisions, but the message of Christmas calls us to rise above these conflicts. We are not defined by our political affiliations, social status, or worldly divisions. The kingdom of God is not built on who wins or loses an election but on love, justice, and peace. Our mission as followers of Christ is to uphold these values, supporting leaders when they enact moral solutions and opposing actions that do not align with the love and compassion Christ demonstrated. The letter shared in our service reinforced this truth, reminding us that our faith is not tied to political movements but to a deeper calling of unity and care for one another.

Christmas as a Symbol of God’s Love

The Christmas story reminds us that God’s love is for everyone, without conditions or limitations. Just as the movie Home Alone portrays a desperate mother doing everything in her power to reunite with her child, God is always working to be with us, calling us into relationship. We are never abandoned. God is present in every moment, in every act of love and kindness. The only thing we need to do is recognize and accept that presence.

During our service, we also reflected on how Christmas reveals God’s grace, which existed before time began. It is not a fleeting sentiment, but a truth woven into the very fabric of our lives. As we sang hymns of joy and peace, we were reminded that Christ’s birth is an invitation to live in that love every day.

Living the Christmas Message Every Day

Rather than letting Christmas be a single day of joy and goodwill, we are called to carry its spirit into every moment of our lives. Justice, compassion, and peace are not seasonal virtues; they are the foundation of our faith. When we embody these principles daily, we move closer to the true meaning of Christ’s birth.

The coming year will bring challenges, conflicts, and uncertainties, but amidst it all, we must remember God’s eternal love. When the world seems divided, let us be the people who unite. When hatred rises, let us be the ones who love. And when fear takes hold, let us be the ones who trust in the presence of Christ, within and among us, now and always. As we left our service that Sunday, we carried with us this promise—that Christmas is not just a day, but a way of life.