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By Chris A. Quilpa
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As the season of Advent continues, our lives should not be just concentrated on material, physical or worldly things. Our focus is our transformation leading up to our salvation. Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. That’s why we have to bear in mind always to keep Christ in Christmas. Without Christ, there’s no Christmas.  

Question: What is the most popular Bible verse you’ve ever heard? From John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Love is the essence of everything we do for the benefit of humanity. Because of Love, there is caring and sharing, serving and sacrificing. There is nothing impossible with Love because Love is the essence of our existence.

Love knows no boundaries. Love leads us to a life of conversion and contentment in life.

Love emboldens and strengthens us, when we feel hopeless, hapless and helpless, and weak. 

Love inspires, encourages and motivates us to get better in life, to be the best that we can be. It transforms us to be loving and kind, gentle and generous, humble and holy, human and helpful, responsible and successful, tolerant and understanding.

Because of Love, we can do many things not only for ourselves but for others. We can contribute something to alleviate the unpleasant conditions, pressing problems of our volatile world and the population inhabiting it.

When there is Love, there’s life. There is hope. There is light. There is peace. There is harmony. There is solidarity. There is joy!

Love rules over hate. Love reigns over darkness. Love brings laughter over sadness or sorrow.

In Corinthians 13:10-12 of the Holy Bible, the Word of God, we read, ” Love is patient and kind; Love does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

God is Love. And Love is God. He loves us for what and who we are—sinners capable of becoming saints. As sinners, we have a past. We also have a future to become saints, if we have Love, if we believe in Love-God, and do His will.

The ultimate epitome or embodiment of Love is made manifest in Jesus Christ, our Messiah, Savior and Redeemer. Human yet divine, He came down from Heaven to see, seek and save us. He suffered, was crucified and died for us, only to rise up from the dead on the third day. His resurrection inspires us to have hope and gives us life and light to grow in faith. 

In John 13:34, Jesus said, ”I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.” He challenges us to “Love your enemies.”

This Christmas holiday season and beyond, let us live with and believe in Love and its power to heal, to give hope, to bring peace and a new life, to bring solace and comfort to all. Especially in times of turmoil and turbulence, crises and conflict, difficulty and uncertainty.

May Love reign always in our hearts. May Love prevail worldwide, as we continue to hope and pray for peace in troubled parts of the world. May we give peace a chance and Love to always dwell in us! Amen.

CHRIS A. QUILPA, a retired U.S. Navy (Hospital Corpsman) veteran, lives in Suffolk. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com.