Love is a major theme of Advent, and the season brings with it tender opportunities for women to carry the love of God as they plan, prepare, and wait for Christmas to arrive. During the four special weeks leading up to Christmas, we often find ourselves waiting.
Waiting for Amazon gift orders to arrive.
Waiting for the turkey or ham to finish cooking.
Waiting for family and friends to walk through the door.
Yet it is in the quiet planning, the unnoticed details, and the hidden sacrifices of holiday demands that women are most capable of ushering in the sacredness of Christmas with the kind of love that reflects the very heart of God.
Throughout time, women have been known to embody a quiet strength and courage bringing families and communities together. From the women of Scripture to the women in our own lives, we see how love is woven into the waiting. Mary, chosen to carry the Christ child, embodied this truth. Her waiting was not passive—it was filled with trust, courage, and a love that made room for God’s promises. In her, we see how Advent love is both tender and strong, gentle yet bold.
Women embody the spirit of Advent in countless ways: waiting for children to be born, waiting for relationships to heal, waiting for prayers to be answered. Advent speaks into the hearts of women, young and old, in these seasons of waiting, reminding us that love is not diminished by delay. Instead, love grows deeper in the waiting and steadies us when life feels scary or uncertain.
Advent offers women unique opportunities to show love in ways both ordinary and extraordinary. Love can be expressed in our serving and giving, in listening and caring, in forgiving and encouraging. Love can look like preparing meals with joy instead of grumbling, writing cards with thoughtfulness simply because we “get to” (not because we “have to”) or sitting with someone who feels alone or is grieving. These small acts of love, like Advent candles shining in the darkness, gently invite us to participate in loving the world we have been entrusted with.
And now, having just celebrated Christmas—and as we continue to await Christ’s return—let us remember that love is the greatest gift we can receive or give. Advent love is radiant and life-giving. It is the love of Christ that powerfully sustains us and calls us out of complacency to remind us to love on, until Jesus comes!
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” John 3:16
Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a blessing it is to be women entrusted with the gift of carrying and sharing Your love. In this Advent season, come near to fill our hearts with Your holy presence. Teach us to wait patiently, serve lovingly, and shine as bright as the Advent candles adorning our tables. May we, like Mary, be willing to say “Yes” to bringing the gift of Your love to the world as we wait for Your return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want More?
Read Luke 2:36–38. What details does Luke give about Anna’s background? How is Anna’s devotion described in terms of her habits? How can you allow love to shape your attitude during seasons when answers seem delayed? How has God met you with love in places of sorrow, and how might that shape how you love others? Who in your life needs a word of love, hope, or encouragement and what simple step could you take this week toward that end?
