Monday, December 5, 2022
December 5, 2022
When I was a child, my family’s celebration of Advent involved a Christmas countdown calendar with pieces of chocolate hidden behind little doors. As a young adult, I assumed that Advent was something extra but not necessary. However, as I have grown, I have been drawn more deeply into the tradition of Advent and what it means for us as Christians.
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Charles Wesley
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
The word advent comes from a Latin word, meaning “coming.” Initially, Advent was a time of fasting and penance. It had nothing to do with Christmas. It was a time of anticipating the Messiah’s second coming. It was during the Middle Ages that Advent was tied to the first coming of Christ, and its connection with Christmas has remained with us to this day.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Today, we are a people positioned between two Advents. Prior to Christ’s birth, the Jewish people eagerly waited for God’s promised Messiah. They clung to the hope of the prophecies promising God would restore his wayward people. We as 21st-century believers are waiting for his second advent. Christ has defeated death and ensured the final victory, yet evil is still destroying the world we live in. We anticipate the day when Jesus returns.
Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
When we observe Advent, we are both remembering what Christ did for us when he came to earth as a frail human baby and also looking forward to the day when he victoriously returns. We prepare our hearts to celebrate his birth and anticipate what is to come. We remember that we are living in the “already and not yet.” Death has been defeated, but we still live in a fallen world.
By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
As we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ’s first Advent, we remember he is our future hope. The first Advent came after a dark time in ancient Israel. The people felt abandoned by God, yet in their darkness, light broke through.
Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
We are still living in a dark time. Evil seems to be triumphing. But as children of the One True God, we have hope. We know Christ will return to rule and reign forever.
Revelation 21:6-7 (NIV)
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Questions:
Did you know that Advent was more than just tied to Christmas? Have you celebrated Advent in the past? What is one way you can more intentionally enter into this season to anticipate his return?
Next Steps:
As you enter into the Advent season, remember that we are not only celebrating the birth of Christ but also his second coming.
Spend time this season reading through:
Isaiah 9 and Isaiah 53
Matthew 1
Luke 2
Revelation 19, Revelation 20, Revelation 21, Revelation 22
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am in awe of the love you have for your sinful people. You entered into our world and took on our frailty. You suffered unjustly and showed us what it meant to truly love. Thank you for entering into our darkness and shining a light on us. As we enter into the Christmas season, remind us that we are also anticipating your second coming. Help us never lose sight of the future we will one day enjoy in your presence for eternity. Amen.
Parent Resource:
Read Luke 1:26-31 together as a family. God’s plan for Christmas surprised everyone. If you could plan Christmas this year exactly the way you wanted, what would it look like?
This post was written by Julie Mabus. Julie has a passion for thinking about big ideas, art, reading, and seeing God reveal himself through creation. She is married and is homeschooling her five young children.