Introduction
In this first post for the week, I will be exploring the depths of love, Thanksgiving, and meaning during the holidays. My anchor verses are 1 Cor 13: 4-7, 1 John 3:18.
have a great opportunity this year for the first time since 2007, I get to preach the entire holiday season. For the next several weeks, I will be sharing my message as we prepare for family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will be borrowing from past themes and offering some new thoughts.
We hear a lot about love and in our country and around the world, many Christians will say they are responding or acting in a certain way out of love, the question begs, does the love we represent stand on the side of the executed Jesus or on the side of the executioner?
I want to focus on how we love and how we give thanks this next season?
As a foreshadow, I must raise a question, “is this season about consumption and getting the best deals (storge love) or is our love rooted in the insistent providential love of God that knows no boundaries (agapic and kenotic love)?”
The Prevalence of Love Language During the Holidays
Love is a complex concept. In English, we use just one word to express it, yet that word carries many interpretations. This season, much of what we’ll explore relates to storge love. Love is often referenced in everyday conversations, media, and religious circles. As the Princess Bride famously puts it: “love—that word does not mean what you think it means.” Christians may claim to act out of love, but sometimes, this serves as an excuse for actions that can be hurtful or damaging. For example, our parents might have disciplined us harshly “for our own good,” believing it was out of love. While I believe people are driven by altruistic intentions, society tends to condition us otherwise, setting unhealthy expectations about kindness, compassion, and care. This then begs the question, does your love align with the love of Jesus (the executed) or the actions of the executioner?
Defining Love: Types and Their Significance
This topic is often discussed, but here are three types of love to consider:
- Storge: Familial love shown through gifts and shared moments.
- Agape: Unconditional, selfless love, important in Christianity.
- Kenotic: Self-emptying love that demonstrates humility and Christ-like selflessness.
When we recognize the complexity of love and its many expressions, it becomes essential for us to pause and evaluate the guiding motivations behind our holiday rituals. This season presents a profound opportunity not only to reflect on our own relationships and traditions but also to intentionally shift our focus from transactional exchanges to transformative encounters of grace and generosity. Let us enter this time with open hearts, seeking ways to embody the radical, sacrificial love that Jesus represents, and allowing gratitude to shape our gatherings and interactions so that every celebration becomes a testament to authentic, Christ-like compassion.
Love Versus Consumption: The Holiday Dilemma
I am writing this on November 12; we are 12 days past Halloween and 12 days into the month. I am already tired of Christmas and being sold something every time I open my browser to research a topic. Too often, our holiday traditions center around buying, gifting and eating. But we must pause and really consider whether these practices truly embody the love I discussed earlier or merely fulfill social expectations.
Can we consider deeper expressions of love beyond materialism? How can we build more storge, awareness of kenosis and practice agapic love in our relationships this season? Rather than allowing the busyness and pressures of holiday consumerism to define our actions, can we instead embrace a more intentional posture—one that prioritizes connection, compassion, and a willingness to serve others in humility. By consciously choosing to embody the love that Jesus modeled, we transform ordinary traditions into sacred opportunities for healing, reconciliation, and hope, allowing this season to be a true testament to the power of love that extends far beyond what we give or receive materially.
Giving Thanks: Moving Beyond the Surface
Gratitude as a spiritual practice that can guide our steps throughout the holiday season. When we choose gratitude, we begin to look deeper than outward festivities and seasonal routines; we begin to cultivate a posture of gratitude that embraces both the joys and challenges of life as sacred opportunities for growth and connection. In allowing gratitude to permeate our hearts, our perspective is transformed —turning simple interactions into moments of grace and reminding us that every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every gesture of generosity can ripple outward, shaping a community founded on authentic love. Moving through this holiday season, I challenge us to be attentive to the subtle ways gratitude can anchor our spirits, inviting us to witness and participate in the unfolding of God’s boundless love among us.
Aligning Our Holiday Season With Jesus’ Love
Take a moment to consider this: Are our holiday actions driven by true love or simply convenience? Personally, I’m not fond of holidays for many reasons. I believe we have an entire year to show love, offer grace, and express kindness—it doesn’t need to be restricted to just two months; it’s a commitment that must last twelve months.
By practicing agapic and self-giving (kenotic) love every day—through serving, forgiving, and welcoming others—we align ourselves with “the executed Jesus,” advocating for love, justice, and mercy in our daily lives.
In Conclusion
As we prepare to enter this holiday season, let us intentionally foster love and gratitude within our families and communities through acts of kindness, meaningful conversations, and an emphasis on being present with one another. By choosing to center our celebrations on the transformative love that reflects God’s boundless grace, we allow these days to become opportunities for deep connection and authentic gratitude. May this season be a time of renewal—where we move beyond material expectations to embrace genuine relationships and heartfelt service. I invite you to journey with me in the coming weeks as we explore together how to make our holidays a true testament to love, grace, and meaningful transformation.
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