advent

~arrival~

The focus of this Advent season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ, 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.

The Hope of God’s People

As many have said, Advent begins in the dark. The world is crying out for 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 the consequences of 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 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.

Mary Making Room

Wonderful things can emerge from the most unexpected sources, and so a young, Jewish, unmarried woman became the mother of God and remains one of the most inspiring people not only in the Christian scriptures but in the 2000 years since. In the life of Mary, we can see the effect of what happens when someone allows the promise of God to shape her whole life, not in some passive and pious way, but because she says ‘yes’ to God in a radical way.

Mary teaches us many life lessons: how to say yes to God and life, how to wait patiently, and how to love each other and ourselves deeply. Her response to the angel Gabriel displays her 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 the light of Christ anew, 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.