Advent Devotional - December 11, 2014

“Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
 / And in His name all oppression shall cease”

-Oh Holy Night

The Advent season is tremendously helpful in allowing us to reflect on hope that Christ brings to our broken world. The above verse simultaneously reminds us of the chain-shattering redemption that Christ enacts, and our personal connection with those in need. This lyric represents a biblical theology of God’s heart for the oppressed.

In the Old Testament, we see dozens of commands designed to protect the oppressed and marginalized. In the New Testament, God actually becomes human and lives among the oppressed. Rather than simply hurling distant sympathy at those in need, Jesus genuinely identifies himself with them. He goes as far as to say, “... as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Even before her Son’s birth, Mary also understood the powerful effect of Christ’s coming on the oppressed. In Luke 1 she sings: “He has shown strength with His arm;
 He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
 and exalted those of humble estate;
 He has filled the hungry with good things,
 and the rich He has sent away empty.” (Luke 1:51-53)

Similar sentiments are expressed elsewhere in the New Testament. The writer of Hebrews implores us to, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (Hebrews 13:3). Thus, the advent of Christ invites the believer into participation in the ministry of redemption.

As we sing these words this Advent season, let us reflect on the freedom God has granted each of us in Christ. Let us open our eyes to the needs of our brothers and sisters, knowing that whatsoever we do to them, we do unto Christ. And let us join our Savior in his mission of freeing the oppressed. In the words of the Catholic writer Thomas Merton, “Be human in this most inhuman of ages; guard the image of man for it is the image of God.”