Advent
Advent
~arrival~
The focus of this Advent season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus in his First Advent – and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.
Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000-year-old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ, where all of creation might be reconciled to God.
That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. During Advent the church is invited to reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.
Hope of God’s People
Advent begins in the dark. The world is crying out for the deliverance from evil and hopelessness. We possess a longing for rescue and respite. Consider the story so far.
Israel begged for God’s intervention in Egypt and the wilderness. They cultivated and held onto the hope of a saviour. The hope that was once anticipated, and now
anticipates again, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world. God will set the world right again.
The Promise of the Prophets
The prophets of Old sought to warn, pass judgement on the morals and ethics of their day, and counsel and comfort the Israelite people. They set the standards for the entire community. Often, they warned of consequences to rebellion, but their primary message was the radical heart change that needed to take place.
Their messages demonstrate just how much God desires to be close to his people. God wants his people to flourish, to experience peace and joy, but sin gets in the way. So God sends prophets to warn his people and urge them to turn from sin and its destruction. When Israel doesn’t listen, they experience the consequences of their own ways, just like the prophets warned. But when Israel listens, they receive God’s promised mercy. And we can too. If we are honest about our sins and want to leave them behind, God will forgive us––completely. That’s how God wants to show his faithfulness and justice to people. He forgives everyone who humbly comes to him.
The Forerunner John the Baptist
In a given situation, the individuals who are used by God in the accomplishment of his plan and purpose are not always the most influential or popular people available.
God had set John the Baptist apart for a special mission. He was to preach about repentance and to baptise people in water. He was also to preach about the Kingdom of God and prepare a people for the Messiah’s coming.
His life story and his message point us to Jesus Christ, show God’s miraculous power and teach the importance of repentance from sin and baptism.
Making Room Mary
Wonderful things can emerge from the most unexpected sources; and so a young, Jewish, unmarried woman became mother of God and remains one of the most inspiring people not only in the Christian scriptures but in the 2000 years since. In Mary we can see the effect of what happens when someone allows the promise of God to shape her whole life; not in a passive way, but because she says ‘yes’.
Mary teaches us life lessons: how to say yes to God and life, how to wait patiently, and how to deeply love each other and ourselves. Her response to the angel Gabriel shows absolute trust that something good was going to happen, not only to her, but to the rest of the world as well. Mary shows us how to receive God’s love with full confidence.
The Great Arrival
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Advent comes to a close with Jesus's arrival on Christmas day, but this is just the beginning. We have walked through the days of preparation and repentance, waiting and expectation. Now Jesus is reborn in our hearts. We have received anew the light of Christ, leading us into the rest of the year.
The spirit of Advent is expressed well in the parable of the bridesmaids who are anxiously awaiting the coming of the Bridegroom (Matt. 25:1-13). There is profound joy at the Bridegroom’s expected coming. And yet a warning of the need for preparation echoes through the parable.