Advent Devotional from our DS's wife Robbie Craker

Thursday, Second Week of Advent 2009

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. –Colossians 1:15-17

It is amazing that Jesus, creator of everything, chose to “move into our neighborhood.” This is how The Message states John 1:14 –

The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.

I am reading a book my husband bought for me when he was touring the United Nations a year ago. It’s entitled, A World Made New – Eleanor Roosevelt, And the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is a fascinating look at the beginning of the UN and especially the concept of there being world-wide human rights. The United Nations thought this would be a safe place to put Mrs. Roosevelt. It wasn’t considered a very important commission. However, she became chairwoman of the committee and it is interesting to read how very diverse nations fought and haggled to produce a Declaration of Human Rights. While she was asking for the USSR to be more open about their policies, they would throw back in her face the Civil Rights movement of our country and the treatment of African Americans. One positive statement about the United States – at least we haven’t hidden our issues – they have been there for the entire world to see. I think this is good, it causes us to work on them and perhaps be humbled a little bit by them.

But this isn’t my point. My point is that THE WORD moved into our neighborhood. Here is what Eleanor Roosevelt said while in the midst of the important work she was doing at the UN –

‘Mrs. Roosevelt’s column for May 15 contained only a passing reference to the UN. After recounting how she had tried to help a homeless man lying unconscious on the street and ignored by passersby, she noted, “And the next day, at Lake Success, as we argued about human rights at a committee meeting, I wondered how many human rights that poor man had. At heart I imagine I am really a country bumpkin—I like to know my neighbors and to have some sense of responsibility for them.”’

Because our Redeemer, Firstborn over all things created, the Image of the invisible God, the Word – came to us – moved into our neighborhood – we must know our neighbors as well. He is calling us to get out and move among HIS people. He is calling us to get our hands dirty in HIS world. Remember, He said “the least of these.” That’s our main mission.

And folks this isn’t just about Christmas and the over-indulgence of most of us – it’s about an all year long engagement. Look around your own neighborhood – who needs you to pick them up out of the gutter of despair? I tell you even those in our “nice” neighborhoods are often hiding deep issues of pain. Look around the neighborhoods you drive through to reach your neighborhood. Could someone use a helping hand? And what about around the world – is there a gift you could give that would change the neighborhood of someone unlike you? Someone is crying out who has little to eat and no fresh water to drink.

Father, help us to really move into our neighborhoods with the Good News that we’ve received. Forgive us for thinking too much of ourselves and our wants. Open our eyes to those who need us to extend a helping hand. Amen