Advent contrasts the world’s fleeting, self-centered view of love with God’s unconditional, sacrificial love revealed in Scripture. While human love often starts with self and falters under conditions, God’s love, shown through Jesus’ life and sacrifice, is steadfast, holy, and transformative. Mary’s response to God’s love—her surrender and trust—demonstrates how we, too, are called to receive and carry His love with the world. This Advent, we are invited to let go of shallow definitions of love and embrace the deep, redemptive love of God that restores, redeems, and makes us whole.

“The world looks for happiness through self-assertion. The Christian knows that joy is found in self-abandonment. 'If a man will let himself be lost for My sake,' Jesus said, 'he will find his true self.” Elizabeth Elliot

What an amazing quotation from Elizabeth Elliot, who by the way is uniquely capable of commenting on where joy comes from as her husband, Jim, was put to death in South America for the sake of the Gospel. Instead of harboring bitterness, she forgave and eventually went back to the very tribe of people who put her husband to death to continue telling them about Jesus. What Elizabeth says, is that we look for happiness by self-assertion. Happiness comes when I get to insert myself into whatever situation I want and I get whatever I want. However, the Christ follower knows that joy is found in self-abandonment. By putting myself last, losing myself, and in doing so I find Jesus and the joy that comes from him alone. May you find joy this Christmas in putting yourself last, and putting Jesus first.

The holiday season can be anything but peaceful. There is so much to do: decorations, shopping, travel, cards, desserts, kids and more. And, yet Jesus came so that we could experience real peace. And, isn’t this what we all want? Peace with God, peace with others and peace in the deepest parts of our own heart. True peace comes in Christ Jesus alone. Will you experience peace in Jesus this year? Jesus is the “Prince of Peace.”