As a kid, I LOVED Advent! Why? Because it was a countdown to the best day of the year in the minds of most kids: Christmas! Why? Because Christmas meant PRESENTS! What kid doesn’t love getting to unwrap Christmas presents?!? As I have grown and matured (hopefully) I have come to realize that Advent is so much more than a countdown… it is an invitation to give the best gift of all: God’s grace through Jesus.
Entering the season of Advent, we are reminded of the extraordinary gift of God’s grace given in the advent or arrival of Emmanuel (God with us), Jesus. As we anticipate the Christmas celebration and reflect upon the gift of God’s grace in sending His son, I can’t help but take note of what I think is often overlooked: our call to share that grace with others. Advent is a season of intentional love and outreach in Jesus’ name.
Our call to share Christ’s love is rooted in our identity as recipients of a grace that knows no bounds. It is God’s grace that forgives our sins, heals our brokenness, and transforms our lives. Grace is a free gift of God that can never be earned or deserved. Jesus reminds his followers Matthew 10:8 (CSB): “Freely received, freely give.” As followers of Christ this Advent season, we are called not only to celebrate this grace but to be conduits of it, sharing the transformative love of Christ with the world we live in.
In the hustle and bustle of this season, be attentive to the opportunities that God gives you to be instruments of God’s grace for others. How can you joyfully demonstrate the love of Jesus in your interactions with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers? It could be as simple as extending a helping hand to a neighbor, showing kindness to a stranger, or speaking a word of encouragement. It may be through sharing the story of Christ’s birth, offering a listening ear to someone going through a tough time, or extending forgiveness in Jesus’ name. Pray each day for God to give you eyes to see the opportunities and the courage and power of the Holy Spirit to embrace them. I believe God will indeed answer your prayer and give you both!
This Advent, I pray that our lives can be a testament to the transformative power of grace, as we actively and intentionally extend God’s love to a world in need. In 1 Peter 4:10 (CSB) we read, “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.” Our faith calls for us to respond to God’s grace by not just receiving it but also stewarding it by sharing it generously with a world that so desperately needs it.
