We’re on Day 12 of Advent Conspiracy! The tenet we’re practicing today is to “Love All.” Given Jesus’ life and teaching, this concept should be an easy one for his followers, and yet we often struggle with pride, self-reliance, and judgment.

From Advent Conspiracy: Making Christmas Meaningful Again by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder

“We cannot allow the broken and vulnerable to become invisible. Which brings us back to how Christmas can still change the world. Let’s return to Jesus’ words in Matthew 25: ‘You shall be richly rewarded, for when I was hungry, you fed me. And when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. I was alone as a stranger, and you welcomed me into your homes and into your lives.’…These are very simple acts of service being described–giving someone something to eat or drink, welcoming them, clothing them, visiting them. Simple as they are, these gifts matter very much to Jesus–and to those in need. So why not start there? Sometimes we will be led to huge, global strategies, but it’s usually the simple, commonsense acts of love that make the difference.”

Here’s a helpful page on making a care kit for an individual experiencing homelessness. You may have too much going on to make this happen today, but don’t let it just slip away. Even if it takes a few days to make this happen, it’s worth the effort to reach out to those in need during this season.

Today’s Scripture Passage

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

-Luke 4:16-21