Today’s advent reading is found in John 6:50-51. You are welcome to click the link to the left and read the passage in your favorite translation or read it below as written in the New Living Translation (NLT).

“Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh” (NLT).

As we have now come within just days of Christmas morning, how is your spirit?

Most of us, by this point, have grown weary of the hustle and bustle – but really, would we have it any other way?

Many have given their gifts, cards, wishes, and greetings ladened with treats, candies, cookies,  and endulgent sweets – which of course, are always oh, so satisfying in the moment, but later boast an aftertaste riddled with regret.

We rush to the stores and rant about what’s in stock and what’s not. We grab, we go, we check then check off our lists – wondering how to give more and give better than we did the year before. We hurry quickly past the familiar red kettle, bells clanging the same tell-tale tune, “Give, give, give!”

Our senses are bombarded by bright lights and flashes on the T.V. screen of what's “in”, a must have, and of necessity. Sentiments of winter and warmth in 30 seconds win our hearts as we’re convinced of something we’ve not, we must soon get.

Parties, engagements, pageants, and plays… all pointing towards something – the coming of Christmas Day.

And the day will come. It always does. And the tree once teaming with gifts in gorgeous array will soon be emptied, dried up needles vacuumed up, the once fragrant thing tossed to ruin and decay. There will be some sadness, perhaps even remorse, an odd feeling will settle in the pit of our stomach, as we wonder “what’s more?” Feeling somewhat empty, hungry, the day will simply come to and end. And so it is, another Christmas, come and gone.

It this, or has this ever been your experience? I am certain we have all fall prey to the hurried and harried Spirit of Christmas that is surprisingly lacking Christ, the real reason for this sacred holiday.

Well, I’ve good news… it’s not to late to fill up on the One who truly satisfies. The King has come for you!

You can only increase the measure of Christ in your life by making room for him. Have you allowed room for the “living bread” who can fill and satisfy far better than anything else the world is saying will do the trick: money, gadgets, relationships, food, sex, alocohol. In his fullness, he has brought us true “comfort and joy.” Praise be to the King of Kings who came, rich with grace and mercy, just in time to save a lost and helpless world… oh, what a precious gift.

Today, pray for those “hungry,” starving even. Is this you? Is this someone else? Pray you/they turn away from the “bread” this world wrongly promises as “more than enough.” Pray you/they experience a full and nourishing measure of Christ this Christmas. Ask God to show you how to share Christ with those in need this season, that they may see a babe, a King, rich with grace and mercy in you. The King Who Feeds the Hungry has come and is coming still. Merry Christmas!

Photo adapted from original photography © James Cooper.