Cherish the AdventÖrnek

The following devotion is written from the perspective of the Gospel Writer Luke, who carefully researched the stories of the first followers of Christ.

When I wrote my Gospel, I was mindful of the writings from Isaiah. The words from that towering prophet were always before me about how all of us, like simple sheep, have gone astray.

I read through that famous passage of Isaiah again after hearing the story from some of the original disciples about a parable Jesus told.

Do you know the one? The shepherd who goes to look for that one sheep though he has the 99 others in the fold.

The shepherd could not sleep, eat, or go about any of his other important business until he went and rescued the one.

The story of that one sheep grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go!

You might think about a coin if sheep analogies aren't your thing.

I know you don't use physical money all that much these days. It's all debit and credit and digital, but the coin story Jesus shared is helpful too.

You know how the story goes: A woman loses a coin and then sweeps her whole house to find it. Every nook and cranny. When she finally finds the lost coin, probably under a couch cushion, she rejoices!

Have you ever lost something small or great and felt the stress of not knowing where it is? Travel documents before a trip. A ring or some jewelry of special significance. A child in a busy market.

What relief to find what we feared lost forever! Cue the happy dance. Let up a whoop of joy!

What a mystery to consider that God understands this fear, that he might have lost us forever in our sin. To the darkness because we strayed.

And even more incredible, heaven is filled with the whoop of joy, a true party, whenever one lost in sin is found.

Jesus came to earth to seek and save what was lost. We were what was lost. We have been found in him.

Jesus sees our lives as treasures, more valuable than a precious lost coin. So valuable that he was willing to come to us and give his own life in exchange for all that was lost.

That is what makes Christmas so astonishing for me.

Today take time to light a candle for Advent, the candle of Love. Jesus came to us in love to seek us out and return us to the Father. May the love of God shine brightly in your hearts this Advent season and every season of your life. Amen.