Celebrating Advent

Weekly Update – December 12th, 2024 

Traditionally, Christians will remember four weeks of Advent as we look forward to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent means “longing” or “anticipation” for the coming of the Messiah.  It reminds us to look back in joy to the first coming of Christ, but to also look ahead in expectation to his return.  It is a nice contrast to the hustle and bustle that often accompanies this frantic season of events, parties and gift-giving.  Since being introduced to this tradition several years ago, I have grown to appreciate it more and more every single year. 

One of the traditions of Advent is the Advent wreath. You will notice that every Sunday we light the candles on this wreath, as we read Scripture, symbolizing a different theme. This year, we will highlight the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. There are three purple candles which are meant to display a somber type of atmosphere, with a pink candle breaking the somberness with a week of joy, followed by a large white candle in the middle, which represents Christ, in whom all of the themes of Advent find their fulfillment. 

Aside from the Advent wreath, the four weeks leading up to Christmas are meant to be a time when we can specifically focus on God breaking into our world through his son, Jesus Christ. Perhaps you have a devotional you are going through this month, or you are reading through the Christmas stories with your kids, or maybe you are simply enjoying the emphasis that we place upon Christ’s coming during this month. Either way, let me give five benefits to drawing your focus this entire month to the coming of Christ and celebrating Advent:

First, Advent teaches us to wait.  The word “wait” is not in many people’s vocabulary when it comes to the shopping season of the year.  Advent allows us to slow down the season and to remember what the true longings of our hearts are.  We remember the centuries that God’s people waited for a Messiah and how God was merciful to send a savior ‘in the fullness of time.’  Advent reminds us that we are ultimately like the Old Testament saints who too are waiting for the Messiah to return and make this world right.

Second, Advent connects us with past saints.  Scripture is our final authority in all cases, but that doesn’t mean that having traditions is wrong.  Sure some traditions might hinder us from better pursuing the Lord, but others, like Advent, intentionally allow us to set ourselves in a practice that has been fruitful for many who have gone before us.  Advent reminds us that we are not the first or second generation to be intentional in our pursuit of Christ.  It instead allows us to grow and learn from many who have gone before us and it allows us to avoid what C.S. Lewis calls “chronological snobbery” by letting their voices speak wisdom into our current context. 

Third, Advent reminds us that Christmas is not about us.  We as people see things the way they are now.  We have a circle of family and friends and we live in one section of the world.  God sees things at a 30,000 foot level.  He sees past, present and future and his plans encompass the entire world.  Advent reminds us that God has a plan that is much bigger than you and me and our present context.  Before the foundation of this world, God set a plan to redeem men and women from their sin.  And because of the coming of Jesus Christ, this plan will culminate at the end of time with the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

Fourth, Advent teaches us holy discontentment.  Now when you think of discontentment we automatically think of something negative.  We are to be like the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11 who learned to be content in all circumstances.  But there is one area where discontentment is good.  Romans 8:23 tells us that through the Spirit alive in us, we groan as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons and the redemption of our body.  It is good to have a righteous discontent with a sin-filled world.  Advent reminds us of the cries that have gone before for the first coming of Christ, as we join in crying out for Christ to return again for us.

Fifth, Advent reminds us of the faithfulness of God.  God promised throughout the Old Testament to send a savior.  Saints waited and God fulfilled his promise.  God has always accomplished what he said he would do.  Advent reminds us of the truthfulness of what God says.  We can be confident that because of God’s faithfulness in the past, that he will be faithful to rescue us a second time when he sends his son again to this earth, just as he has promised.

As we celebrate this season of Advent, whether individually or formally in our services, let us slow down and remember Christ and his coming to earth.  But as we celebrate, let us also expectantly long for Christ to come again as we join together with saints from all times and from all places in our desire for this world to be set right through the coming of Jesus Christ.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson