The commandment about loving God and loving our neighbor is first and foremost. Jesus said that "all the Law and the Prophets hang upon these two commandments." (Matt 22:40) This theme is carried throughout the Bible. In 1 Peter 4:8 it is written that "above all things have fervent love for one another." Paul also said that we should put love above all else (Colossians 3:14), and that we should "owe no one anything except to love one another." (Romans 13:8)
Again and again in the Bible we repeatedly find that love is placed above all else. Love is called "more excellent than any other gift or ability. (1 Cor 12:31) "Now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor 13:13) The law of love is called the "royal law" (James 2:8), which we are "taught by God." (1 Thessalonians. 4:9) We are asked to "make love our greatest aim," (1 Cor 14:1) to "be rooted and grounded in love." (Ephesians. 3:17)
These laws about love are so important that Jesus said they should be a part of the hearts of all Christians. “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6,7)
"Let all that you do be done with love." (1 Cor 16:14)
This means that you should give to others, your love and your help, all year round – not just at Christmastime. In celebrating Jesus' birth, remember that Jesus was all about Love and inclusiveness.
