Luke 19:10 - (Jesus said) "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Way back when, a newspaper once asked Daniel Boone if he had ever been lost. The old explorer answered, "I've never been lost, but I once was mighty confused for three days."

Using that logic, most of us could say, "We've never lost our glasses, our wallets, our purses, our tools, or anything else. We've just misplaced them for an unknown period of time." And then we optimistically have to add, "But we expect to have them back very soon."

I suppose that is also true for the man in Frankfurt, Germany, who had his car stolen in 1997. He reported the theft to the police and had every hope that the vehicle would be found and returned. Sadly, it was a false hope. Five, ten, fifteen, twenty years came and went without a hint. Then, when all seemed lost, the vehicle turned up.

It was found in a warehouse which was going to be destroyed. Those who were entrusted with the demolition told the police who traced the vehicle to its last owner: the man who had reported his vehicle as having been stolen. The truth was the vehicle had been in that warehouse for 20 years. It hadn't moved from the spot where the absentminded man had left it.

That report isn't much different from a German man who went to Oktoberfest in Munich. After a few beers, the man went to get his car, but it was not where he was sure he had left it. It took two years before the police found the vehicle two and a half miles from where he thought he had lost it. Oh, in the trunk of that vehicle, there was over $100,000 in cash and tools.

Now folks, it's one thing for a person to lose some belongings -- even a car -- but it's quite another thing for a person to lose his faith in his Lord.

Sadly, most of us know more than one person who has lost both.

Now the reason I bring it up is simple: we are entering the season of Advent and then Christmas. Both of these events on the church calendar are unique in their ability to touch lost souls and bring them back to the Lord and Savior whose life was offered to rescue us. The theme of God's Son coming to rescue all the world's lost is an emphasis which appeals to many.

So, why not invite such a soul to church with you this Advent? Wouldn't it be great to hear him or her say, "I once was confused and lost for a while, but now I'm saved and I know where I m going."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I pray for those who have forgotten their faith and the love which comes to them in the Savior whose birth we remember and whose second coming we prepare for. Keep us ready for that unknown hour and help us prepare others so they, too, may know where they are -- and where they're going. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Harry Cockburn on November 17, 2017 for the Independent. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: click here.

Note: Beginning tomorrow, I will be stepping away from the Daily Devotions until after Epiphany, in January of next year.

During these weeks, Dr. Kari Vo will present her Advent devotional, Love Came Down. Dr. Vo says, "Jesus came to be in our lives, a part of our lives, one of us. He came to be our Savior, and that is not a job someone can do by standing safely at a distance. Instead, He embraced our human nature: He was born, He grew, He lived, worked, and suffered. He died, and then He rose from the dead."

As this is my last day with you for over a month, please permit Pam and myself to wish you a blessed Christmas and a New Year which begins and is filled with Your loving Lord. In Christ, I remain His servant and yours, Ken Klaus.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 42-44    1 John 1

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