Editor's note: "An uncommon Advent: the arrival of a Savior in our lives" is a sampling of biblical meditations composed by members of the Concordia University Wisconsin community. It is our prayer that you will take time during the Advent season to read and reflect upon God's Word and await the coming of Jesus with newfound anticipation and zeal through the Holy Spirit.
December 10 – An uncommon role model
Isaiah 26:20-27:13 and 1 John 4:1-21
Growing up as an athlete and avid sports fan, I always looked up to different sports figures. I would play basketball in my backyard trying to be like Michael Jordan. In youth football, I would try and make a big tackle like Clay Matthews. It is easy for young athletes to want to emulate people like these because they are the best at what they do. Whether playing in the backyard or under the lights, there is always the desire to be like the best. There is no perfect athlete, however. Jordan could not make every shot. Matthews misses plenty of tackles. There has never been, and never will be, an ultimate athlete role model. And, the same could have been said for all of mankind until the first Christmas.
The birth of Jesus marked the coming of a man unlike any the world had ever seen (1 John 4:9). For the first time, man was able to see God’s love in human form. Christ came in love to serve and save humankind.
Yet, the story does not end there since our work in response to Christ’s coming is not finished. Much of the world still has not seen Christ’s love,but this does not mean that they have missed their chance. As John writes …if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us(1 John 4:12). Although Christ has ascended to heaven, His love still remains around and within us. Christ alone serves as the ultimate role model of love. Like a kid practicing in his backyard to be like Michael Jordan, as Christians, we are called to love just like Christ did and live a life like his. We are His ambassadors, sent out in to the world to share his love.
When we love one another as Christ did, Christ’s love is present and full. His message is shared, and others get the chance to experience the perfect love that came at Christmas. As Christians, we are called to follow Christ’s flawless example, which is unlike those we find in the world.When we love as he did, His love is present in us, and we are able to share.
Gideon Cain is a biomedical sciences major,a track and field athlete, and a C.O.R.E Bible study leader at Concordia University Wisconsin. Class of 2022. View a full schedule of “An uncommon Advent” readings here.
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