If John lived today, he could not pen a more challenging statement during this season—do not love the world or the things in this world.

Advertisements bombard us year-round, but holiday to holiday brings increased fire. We’re told to love something of this world, anything really, and hopefully buy it. Even better, buy two or three! Just swipe your card and keep the wheels of commerce spinning.

Of course, we need to buy and sell, and it’s nice to give gifts others appreciate. But while fine things in life warrant our appreciation, nothing we possess deserves our love.

Rather, the Lord and those around us deserve love. Things are to be used, people are to be loved. Our pride and our bellies entice us to flip this idea.

Material goods wear out, even the coolest clothes and niftiest gadgets. But the Lord and his words and the souls of people remain forever.

This holiday season launched by a day dedicated to thankfulness and culminated by a day celebrating the Savior merits more than crass absorption into stuff. As we enjoy the giving of gifts, may we remember the placement of affections.

1 John 2 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Heidi Fin