Check out all the previous Christmas readings here.
Christmas Reading Plan | Week 2 | Day 5
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask God to open your eyes to wonderful things from His word today.
Bible Reading: John 3:16-21
Read these verses three times slowly.
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.
Reflection & Questions
Our reading today begins with the most famous verses in the Bible. And rightly so, as in just a few words an astounding and breathtaking offer is made. Many have tried to find the secret to lengthening their life, but here in John 3:16 we find the answer, and not to just a few extra years, but eternal years. And it is not through some regimen or secret sauce. It is simply the trusting and obeying of God’s Son.
So why wouldn’t everyone receive this amazing message that is the extraordinary reason for Christmas? John tells us that “people loved darkness” and that they “fear that their deeds will be exposed.” Whereas God loved the world so much and there was nothing for people to fear, people loved darkness more and chose to hide from God. Whereas God invites us into the light, goodness and truth, people prefer to remain in the dark.
Christmas is an amazing invitation from a God who loves us and is full of light. It is an invitation we can RSVP “yes” or “no” to. Our answer will depend on what we love and fear. Light or darkness. God or sin. Our answer has weighty consequences.
- If you asked your ONE the meaning of Christmas how would they answer? How would you answer?
- Who will you invite to the Christmas services this year? Pray for them and ask God to give you an opportunity to invite them.
Prayer
Talk to God in response to the reading today.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
