Devotion:
Read John 3:16-17.
John 3:16 is perhaps the best known verse in all of Scripture. For many of us the words “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV) jump out as the most beautiful promise, the most gracious gift in the world. And why did God send God’s Son into the world? Because God so loved the world! That is almost unbelievable love. When God provided clothing to cover Adam and Eve’s sin, when God made a special covenant with the Children of Israel, gave us the law, sent prophets...throughout time since the beginning, God has reached out to have relationships with humans and ultimately to save us.
Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures we call the Old Testament, God reached out to save us. God gave us free will, and we often exercise our free will to make choices for things other than God. We are incapable of saving ourselves. So, at just the right time, while we were still sinners, God sent Christ into the world that we might know God more fully and receive this gift of eternal life. God had every reason to judge and condemn the world, but as verse 17 assures us, that is not why the Son came. Christ came to save us. And that is the gift of Advent and Christmas!
Personal Worship Option:
We look forward this Sunday to the first Sunday in the season of Advent, a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. Begin your preparation by giving thanks for God’s love, love that is unearned and undeserved...love we know and receive as grace!
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