Have you ever felt like you’re not quite measuring up? Maybe you were trying hard, striving to reach that elusive goal, only to find yourself falling short time and time again. There are some moments in life when it feels like you’re just not going to make it. But as we approach Christmas, I want to remind you that we’ve been given a powerful and beautiful gift in Jesus—our Advocate.
We often face seasons of struggle, where it seems like we’re up against impossible odds. Maybe you’re in one of those seasons right now—doing everything you can but feeling like you’re still missing the mark. It’s as if you’re standing before an accusing judge and the weight of your shortcomings is pushing you down. It’s in that moment you need to remember the powerful truth found in 1 John 2:1: “we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (NKJV).
The word advocate comes from the Greek word parakletos, which means “one who is called alongside to help.” This is someone who stands beside you, who fights for you, who speaks on your behalf when you can’t defend yourself. Spiritually speaking, Jesus is our Advocate before the Father. When the enemy tries to accuse us or when we feel the weight of our past failures, Jesus is there—not only to defend us but to remind us of who we are in Him.
I have a soft spot for underdog stories, and one sticks with me to this day: Rudy. It’s about a young man who dreams of playing football at Notre Dame University, but he lacks the size and talent to make it. He finally makes it to the practice squad but still can’t play. Just when he feels like giving up, his teammates go to the coach and lay their jerseys on his desk, offering to give up their spots so Rudy can be on the field. The coach, moved by their selflessness, lets Rudy play for one unforgettable moment.
In a similar way, when we feel like we’re not enough, Jesus steps in our favor. He doesn’t stand on the sidelines; He’s right there for us, speaking on our behalf, fighting for us. He gives us access to the Father, not based on our performance, but because of His love and righteousness.
Over the coming weeks as we celebrate Jesus as Immanuel, God with us, let’s remember that in Him we have an Advocate. When trials come and you feel like you can’t make it, Jesus is right there beside you, reminding you that you’re not alone. No matter where you are in the journey, no matter how many times you feel you’ve fallen short, Jesus is always by your side, standing as your Advocate.
This Advent season, as you open your Christmas presents, remember to unwrap the most amazing gift from God’s Word: Jesus is your Advocate. He’s for you, and He will always fight on your behalf.
