This Sunday, as we light the candle of love, I am reminded that love is at the very heart of God’s gift to the world. Advent has guided us through hope, peace, and joy, and today we celebrate the love that comes to us in Emmanuel—God with us.

Lately, I’ve been watching the Harry Potter series, and there’s a story that always strikes me. You remember how Harry is protected from Voldemort through Professor Quirrell—not because of spells or strength, but because of the sacrificial love of his mother. Her love surrounds him, shields him, and gives him courage even in the darkest moments. That love marks him, protects him, and transforms his life in ways he cannot fully comprehend. It reminds us that even when the world seems full of fear and darkness, love is still possible.

That is what Christmas is about. Love that protects, love that transforms, love that cannot be overcome by fear or darkness. God’s love in Jesus enters our world in the same way: humble, sacrificial, and powerful. It doesn’t just comfort us—it changes us. It calls us to respond, to live faithfully, and to share that love with others. Even today, love is still possible when we choose to act with kindness, mercy, and courage.

Think about how we prepare gifts at Christmas. We choose them carefully, wrap them thoughtfully, and imagine the joy they will bring. We go through effort, sometimes late nights or last-minute errands, because we want the person receiving the gift to feel our love. In the same way, God’s gift of love came to us with intention and care in the person of Jesus. But Christmas asks something more of us than simply receiving love—it calls us to give sacrificially, especially to those who are overlooked, marginalized, or forgotten. And even when the world seems harsh, love is still possible when we offer it freely to others.

Even today, signs of God’s presence surround us. In a world often filled with uncertainty, illness, and division, we see glimpses of His love in communities feeding the hungry, neighbors helping one another, volunteers protecting the vulnerable, and people choosing hope instead of despair. These are signs that call for faithfulness—faithfulness to love, to hope, and to act courageously even when the world seems broken.

Joseph’s example teaches us about obedience and trust. He didn’t fully understand the angel’s message or how everything would unfold, but he embraced it. He took Mary as his wife and named the child Jesus, trusting that He is Emmanuel—God with us. Likewise, we are called to unwrap God’s gift in our own lives and live faithfully, offering our time, care, presence, and love as sacrifices that reflect God’s heart. In doing so, we show that love is still possible, even in challenging times.

This Christmas, may we remember that the greatest gift we can give is often unseen: a listening ear, an act of mercy, a meal shared with someone in need, forgiveness offered to the hurting, and love extended to those who cannot repay it. This is the heart of Christmas—the love that protects, transforms, and brings life to others.

So as we light the candle of love, let us rejoice in the gift of Emmanuel. Let us allow that love to move through us, inspiring hope, peace, and joy. Let us be faithful in recognizing the signs of God’s presence in our world and courageous in offering ourselves and our gifts—sacrificially and abundantly—to all, especially to the marginalized. And let us remember that love is still possible—in every act of kindness, every sacrifice, and every gift we give from the heart.

Love has come. Faithfulness is the response. The gift is Emmanuel—God with us—and Jesus, the light in our lives. Let us unwrap this gift in our hearts, in our lives, and share it with others.