Scripture:
John 3:16
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Ornament is The Holy Family, Mary,Joseph, and the babe in the manger. Remembering that everywhere the world over this event is remembered- because it was God’s declaration of love for mankind, including you.
Nativity Scene, Olive Wood Christmas Tree Ornament
Thoughts:
Do you ever doubt that God loves you? Do you feel that you have done too much evil, rejected Him too much, or that you could never be good enough to be loved? God promised he loved you when he sent Jesus to the earth. This is why so many respond so positively to the Christmas story. The fact is that God chose those who mattered little on the world’s stage at that time. The shepherds, a conquered country, an obscure family that didn’t seem “quite right”, Mary and Joseph, these were the ones who received the message of God and were entrusted with its advent. They weren’t on the Who’s Who list of the day.
If you ever felt like you weren’t good enough for the great plans that God has for those who love Him, just remember today that God’s love was shown first to you in sending Jesus Christ to earth to live out as a human being, all the sorrows, disappointments, and weaknesses that you have faced. God didn’t wait until the world, or you, were “good enough”; He took the first step.
The good news is that it is to bring you into a glorious inheritance and joyful existence.
If you feel looked over, undesired, unworthy, despised, remember the picture of the little baby in the manger, with only Joseph and Mary to witness, is now one of the most known and celebrated pictures. Christmas, the nativity of the Christchild in a manger, with everyone knowing the names and the stories of Mary, Joseph, and Christ Jesus.
Every day God remembers how much He loves you, do you remember?
Carol: Away in a Manger
Today’s Activity:
Maybe you have done this already, but if not, today is a perfect time to set up a nativity scene. Whether you have an heirloom one, a homemade one, or one you just picked up at Target… it helps illustrate and remind us of what makes Christmastime so important.
