Advent Devotional, December 12

Luke 22:24-27

“…rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.” (Luke 22:26b)

Jesus spoke of children in terms that made his listeners a bit uncomfortable.  In Matthew’s gospel he called a child to himself in the midst of a crowd and told his followers that unless they became like a child, they could not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Children often have little rights, little standing in community and were certainly not seen as models of faith in the first century, and yet, Jesus embraced them as examples of kingdom living.

His followers evidently needed to learn and relearn this lesson again and again.  In today’s text, just hours before Jesus would be crucified, his closest followers were arguing over which one of them was the greatest.  He called them to humility in telling them that they must become like the youngest…a servant to one another and the world about them.

Christmas is said to be a time when we focus on the youngest among us.  There is a joy and wonder in this season that is perhaps best captured through the eyes of child.  Jesus still calls us to the faith of a child, the wonder of trust and hope and belief. 

The greatest ever to walk among us came as a lowly child.  Perhaps we all need to view the Christ of Christmas and all that is a part of this Advent season through the eyes of a child.  Greatness, you see, isn’t about power and influence, but rather, about humility and service.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to experience this season with fresh eyes and open hearts…to become like the youngest among us. Amen.

Jim Abernathy