JP72: A Christmas Invitation: How To Reflect the Heart of Jesus during Advent

The Advent season draws our attention to the arrival of Jesus, the Bread of Life, who satisfies our physical hunger and deepest spiritual longings. John 6:5-14, the account of Jesus feeding the five thousand, reminds us of Christ’s abundant provision and invites us to participate in his miraculous work of bringing life and sustenance to others.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Reflecting on this familiar story, it’s instructive to see how Jesus models trust, gratitude, and faith in God’s provision. When faced with a vast crowd of hungry people, Jesus turns an impossible situation into an opportunity for God’s glory. His calm assurance contrasts sharply with the disciples’ anxiety. Philip calculates the cost and determines the task is impossible. Andrew brings a small offering but doubts its significance. Yet Jesus sees differently.

With five loaves and two fish offered by a young boy, Jesus demonstrates that God’s kingdom does not operate by worldly measures of scarcity but by divine abundance. Jesus blesses the offering, multiplies it, and meets the needs of thousands with leftovers to spare.

Jesus’ Christmas Invitation

Advent is a time of waiting, reflecting, and preparing for the arrival of Christ. But it’s also a season to consider how we, as his followers, can imitate his pattern of faith and generosity. This passage invites us to examine three areas where we can reflect the heart of Jesus during this season:

1. Seeing with Compassion:

Jesus begins this miracle by “seeing” the crowd and their need. During the Christmas season, our lives often become busy and self-focused. Yet, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve, we are called to lift our eyes and notice those around us. Who in your community is hungry—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? How can you, like Jesus, respond with compassion?

2. Offering What We Have:

The boy in this story offers what seems laughably insufficient for the task. Yet, in the hands of Jesus, his small gift becomes a feast. Often, we hesitate to act because we feel our resources—whether time, money, or talents—are too small to make a difference. But Jesus doesn’t ask us to have it all figured out. He invites us to bring what we have and trust him to multiply it. Consider what “five loaves and two fish” you can place in Jesus’ hands. What can you offer, no matter how small, for his purposes?

3. Trusting God’s Abundance:

The disciples’ doubt is relatable. They can only see the problem through human limitations. But Jesus calls us to look beyond what we lack and trust God’s power to provide. Advent is a season of hope—a time to believe that God’s abundance will meet our needs and overflow to bless others. Where in your life is God inviting you to trust him more fully? How can you live with confidence in his ability to provide?

Living the Pattern of Jesus This Advent

As followers of Christ, we are invited to participate in his work of bringing life and hope to the world. Just as Jesus gave thanks and broke the bread to bless the crowd, we are called to live as vessels of his generosity. This may look like sharing a meal with a lonely neighbor, giving to those in need, or simply offering encouragement to someone struggling. Small acts of obedience, when offered to Jesus, have the potential to impact others in ways we may never fully see.

This Advent, let us commit to seeing as Jesus saw, giving as Jesus gave, and trusting as Jesus trusted. The same Christ who multiplied the loaves and fish is at work today, using ordinary people like us to accomplish extraordinary things. Reflecting the heart of Jesus begins when we place what we have in his hands.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for being the Bread of Life who satisfies our deepest needs. This Advent season, help us to see the world through your eyes of compassion. Teach us to trust your abundance and to offer whatever we have, knowing you can multiply it for your glory. As we prepare our hearts to celebrate your coming, may we also follow your example by blessing others. Use us, Lord, to bring hope and light to a broken world. Amen.

Challenge for the Week:

Identify one area where you feel God is nudging you to share what you have with others. Take a step of faith and offer it, trusting Jesus to use it beyond what you can imagine.

Photo by Dawn McDonald on Unsplash