John 3:16-19 | 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

It’s the word “gave.” That’s the word that stands out that describes the outpouring of love. God, it’s in this season that we remember your generosity in sending your Son so that you could redeem us. This season, we are reminded about a “manger throne” that housed the gift of the Incarnate Son of God. In this season, we remember that the manger that became a bed for our Savior was figuratively in the shadow of the cross that he would take so that we could be restored to you. Thank you, God, for loving us like you do.

Alternate readings: Psalm 24:1-10; Isaiah 7:10-14; Luke 2:8-20; John 1:14; John 3:16; 1 John 4:10

Suggested hymns: Away In a Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Manger Throne