Advent Freebie – Week 2: Love

Para leerlo en español, va arriba de la pagina y “click” la bandera españa.

The second week of Advent is all about love. God loves us so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to earth.  Not only did He send Jesus to earth, but Jesus loves is so much he died on the cross to save us from our sin.

The verse that we are reflecting on this week is 1 Peter 2:24 . It says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

Although this verse does not mention the actual word “love,” it reminds us of Jesus’ love on the cross. The English Standard Version (ESV) calls across “a tree.” The verse card (keep reading and scrolling to find the FREE download of images to use in Bible journaling) has an image of a car with a Christmas tree on its roof. The Christmas tree helps us remember God’s incredible, extravagant, and abundant love.

I recently moved out of my parent’s home, which means this year I got my very own Christmas tree.  There it sits in the living room, sparkling for all to see.  The tree covered in lights and ornaments is my favorite part of my townhouse.  The history behind Christmas trees intrigued me this year as I created this verse card.

I had heard before that many people said Christmas trees began as a pagan tradition for solstice. The Romans also used trees to decorate their temples. Many other cultures including Egyptians and Vikings have used trees or branches to decorate their homes for various religious and spiritual reasons.

One source mentions that Martin Luther one night before Christmas was walking through a forest. He glanced at the sky and saw many stars glistening through the tree branches. He evidently went home and told his children that scene reminded him of Jesus. Jesus left the stars of heaven and arrive to earth at Christmas.

As we fill our homes, offices, and bedrooms with Christmas trees this year, let’s focus on how they represent love and the immense sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  Here are some resources to help you meditate on the love of Jesus this Advent season with a freebie.  Like last week, it is included in English and Spanish.

Creative Faith Freebie – Advent Week 2

Fe Creative Freebie – Adviento Semana 2

Other verses about love to meditate on: Romans 6:23 // Titus 3:4-7 // John 10:17 // Psalm 86:15

Other Christmas resources from Creative Faith:

• Lessons from the Manger devotion kit
• Prepare Him Room Creative Faith Cutable
• Advent Week 1 Freebie

Have you gotten a Christmas tree yet?  Where does it go in your home?  How will you decorate it?  I would love to know in the comments below!