How God showed his love

It happened in a Japanese concentration camp during World War II. A group of prisoners had come back from a work detail at the end of the day. Before they were allowed to go to their barracks, there was a head count, and a count of the shovels they had used. One shovel was missing. The guard in charge shouted that the person responsible had better step forward, or everyone would die. When no one moved, the guards raised their loaded rifles, ready to shoot.

Just then one of the prisoners stepped forward and said, "I took it." The moment he said it, the guards began to beat him until he was dead. After the prisoner had died, the shovels were counted again. No shovel was missing! A fellow prisoner who told this story said he cried at the sight of such love.

But as powerful as that display of love is, it's just a dim reflection of God's love for us. It's merely an illustration of what John talks about when he says, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.. God... loved us so much he sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

That's Christmas: God showing his love by sending his Son into a cold, cruel world to die for us. It's God shouting for all to hear,

"I LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY!"

prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for your great love for us. Give us the grace to accept your love by believing in our Saviour. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

*adopted from Today.