To Love and To Be Loved – A Christmas Reflection

One Christmas morning many years ago when we still lived in Virginia Beach, I awoke very early - before anyone in our household - and silently asked the Lord, What is Christmas all about? And in the silence, I heard His whispering answer, For you to love and to be loved.

A very simple answer. With enormous and unending possibilities of meaning. Just like God. What a perfect Christmas gift.

Those words warmed me that snowy Christmas morning as my children clamored to see what Santa had brought them in honor of the Christ Child’s birth. They warmed me as we hosted friends gathered to feast around our table that festive afternoon.

That simple gift of wisdom has warmed me through these many years as I ponder the depths of its true meaning and how God intends for me to love – with His Love – His people in this world He has created. Because as with all His gifts – whether it be healing or wealth – He does not give any without hoping and even encouraging that gift to be shared in some way with His other children.

And whenever I have taken the time to ponder, my conclusion has always been the same: I have been loved. By Him and by countless people in my life. That is a reality. Thanks to Him and His inestimable Gift to the world. But I am always left with the question, Have I truly loved?