Advent Devotional - Day 10

 
DECEMBER 10 – Hebrews 12: 1-2
By: Brooks Collins

Our family used to attend a church with Advent in the title, and in the same way Advent means “a coming into being,” I truly believe it represented that kind of change in the lives of many members as they “came into” their Christian faith there. Every year at this time, we are reminded that the “coming into being” of the Christian faith truly began with the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

In Hebrews 12:1 the author describes us as being “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” Does anyone seem “surrounded” by anything in our culture today? If anything, we appear isolated with our heads down looking at our smart phones and inside buildings on our computers, that we more or less seem oblivious to the world around us. We hardly even know our neighbors, let alone love them as ourselves, and we are callous to the needy around us because they seem to no longer be the exception, but more like the rule.

The author goes on to say, “let us also lay aside every weight and sin” and “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” The words “look to Jesus” instruct us in all we need to know. We can’t look “to” Jesus if we are looking “through” those around us, or if we aren’t looking at all! This Advent season, let compassion and caring be the things we “come into” as we celebrate Emmanuel, God with us!

Lord, in this Advent season, help me to remember that although he, like all mankind, started life as a baby, Jesus became the “founder and perfecter” of our faith. I pray that I too will “come into” my Christian faith with a renewed understanding of the witnesses around me, and will look to Jesus as the perfect example of love in a world that so desperately needs it. Amen.