Thanks to Elizabeth Cumberlidge for this reflection
Read Matthew 1:18-23
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 John 3:16 (NIV)
At the beginning of Advent, I brought my nativity set of the attic to put on display and was sad to find that many of the figures were broken. The angel had only half a wing, the shepherd was missing a hand, a wise man had no foot and the donkey had one lone ear. Only baby Jesus was intact and appeared unharmed. I’m not sure what happened, the figures were fine when I packed them away last January.
Initially I thought of purchasing a new nativity set. Then I realised that maybe God had a message for me. We are all broken people. But God can accomplish great works through us. When we repent of our sins and ask for forgiveness, God can give us new life despite our brokenness. Jesus’ birth was all about bringing new life to the world.
I think that I will continue to display my imperfect nativity set as a reminder of God’s great love for me. God loves us so much that Jesus came to take on the brokenness of this world by being born as a tiny baby. Through Jesus’ willingness to live a human life, we have the hope of eternal life. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for loving us so much that you sent Jesus into the world so that we can have eternal life. Amen
Thought for the day: Though I am broken, God loves me and can use me to accomplish great things.
Susan L. Stombaugh