Advent Devotional by Angie Fuller

Luke 15:11-32

But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours… was lost and has been found. (Luke15:32)

As our family neared the end of each of my husband’s civilian deployments, the kids and I made plans to celebrate his homecoming – tearing links off countdown paper chains, painting “welcome home” signs, planning a party with family and friends, baking his favorite cake, and taking flowers and flags to the airport. After losing so much time together in person, we highly anticipated and celebrated his return!

Luke’s narrative of Jesus’ life and teachings includes a trilogy of “lost and found” parables. The repetition emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ messages through them. A shepherd abandons his large flock to look for one missing sheep. A woman thoroughly searches her home for one missing coin. And a man, at the request of one of his two sons, willingly and prematurely gives half of his possessions to that son, who leaves and eventually loses everything through a lifestyle with a bad reputation. A famine eventually prompts him to go home.

In all three stories, something of great value is lost, its return sparks genuine joy, and friends and neighbors are invited to celebrate. In fact, as the older, responsible brother in the third story laments the injustice he feels, his dad responds, “we HAD to celebrate…” Until now, I’ve never noticed this compulsion in all three stories for a public celebration. It wasn’t just “Whew – glad to have that back,” or “I’ll have to tell my neighbor about this,” but rather “Invite everyone to joyfully celebrate with us in person!”

Jesus told these three parables to people scolding Him for befriending those with bad reputations. As a parent, I want my kids to know that reputations do matter. It matters that we are clothed with compassion, humility, and patience (Col. 3:12). But I also want them to know that Jesus’ love doesn’t depend on our reputation, and our love for others shouldn’t either.

Jesus, this year I’ve learned the value of being with others in person. Show me someone in my life – perhaps with a tarnished reputation – whom I can love through my presence and other tangible ways. For I know that in such acts I will find Your joy.

Angie Fuller