It’s that time of year again. The air begins to get cool and the sweaters and jackets reappear. The stores fill the shelves with tempting buys for the big Christmas day and the kiddos have the big lists ready for mom and dad. Do you feel it? No, not the lure to pull up Bing Crosby on the Christmas playlist, but the tug on your soul for more purchases and more stuff and in the end more stress and worry. That tends to be the common story this time of year. But what if our story this advent was uncommon? What if the advent season went against the consumer mentality and it was different this year?
Christmas some two thousand years ago was uncommon in the advent of Jesus. Jesus coming from heaven to earth, taking on human flesh and dwelling among a broken and rebellious people was uncommon to say the least. He lived an uncommon life while here on earth as He worshiped God the Father with all that He was and He truly loved all. Though fully God, Jesus was uncommon in that He put the interest of others before His own and gave all that He could give for the good and joy of others. Jesus’ uncommonness led to His death on a criminal’s cross and three days later to His resurrection from death to life. What was made possible through the uncommon life and work of Jesus for us was an uncommon gift, the free gift of eternal life. You can’t find this gift anywhere else. It is one of a kind for those who simply believe in Jesus and follow Him.
Maybe the advent season this year doesn’t need to be different, but maybe you and I need to be different. Christmas is uncommon in its origin, author and meaning. So, let’s push past the common of a Christmas in DFW and into the uncommon lives we are called to live. Let’s be like Jesus this advent season and be uncommon.