I love manger scenes. Pictured are just a few of mine. I even have one that I leave out all year. After all, a manger scene is a visual reminder of the love of God.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As a little girl, the first scripture I memorized was John 3:16. It is the crux of the Christian faith. However, for years I don’t think I ever really read the verses following John 3:16.

“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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 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. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Bottom line…Jesus Christ was sent to the world to save us from our sins. Believe in Jesus and have eternal life. Often we get stuck in our sins and forget the hope of Christ. On this Thankful Thursday let us remember our belief in the Son of God. Thankful Thursday is all about showing thankfulness through action. Let’s show our thankfulness by embracing Christ’s sacrificial love and not stew in our sins. We are never to far from the love of God. Today, find a way to reach out to an unbeliever. Share a scripture or share a song with them. Do a kind deed and leave a message of hope for them. Be the hands and feet of Christ.

Begin your day by listening to this song by Casting Crowns and be reminded God hears you. Somewhere In Your Silent Night