This weekend, we enter into the third week of Advent. Advent has a multi-layered meaning. For many, it simply means that Christmas is near and the lighting of the Advent wreath is a sort of "count-down" until we can get on with it and open the packages under the tree. Yet there is more to it than that. Advent is also a time when we look forward to the second coming. He who came into this world on the first Christmas has promised to come again (the First Advent). is when Christians anticipate the day when Jesus will return again (the Second Advent). Jesus promised that He would return and so we make our proclamation week after week: "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again." That day will be unforgettable and full of joy when he our Lord say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world even began.” (from Matthew 25).
Advent reminds us to ‘watch’ and ‘be ready’ for that day, because we do not know when he will come again. It does no good to try to guess when that time will be since Jesus told us know one will know the day or hour. He just told us to be awake. And that's what Advent, at its best does as well, reminding us to be alert and to not be overwhelmed by the clamor around us that proclaims a different kind of Christmas (all about presents under the tree and economic stimulus!)
So how do we 'stay awake' ? Perhaps in the same way that we stay alert when we know that we will have guests for Christmas. We decorate the tree, we clean, perhaps cook and bake and certainly wait with expectation and excitement. Since Jesus will come again, we prepare and look forward to that great day. Even though we don't know the exact time, we can still fill our hearts with excitement that it will happen!
Keeping Advent as a time of preparation and expectation helps us feel a sense of celebration and anticipation. The message is clear: take hope. No matter what you face, if you follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there is hope. He is coming. He is coming! Let us prepare for the birth of our Lord in our own hearts and let us prepare for His coming again. Happy Advent!
Advent reminds us to ‘watch’ and ‘be ready’ for that day, because we do not know when he will come again. It does no good to try to guess when that time will be since Jesus told us know one will know the day or hour. He just told us to be awake. And that's what Advent, at its best does as well, reminding us to be alert and to not be overwhelmed by the clamor around us that proclaims a different kind of Christmas (all about presents under the tree and economic stimulus!)
So how do we 'stay awake' ? Perhaps in the same way that we stay alert when we know that we will have guests for Christmas. We decorate the tree, we clean, perhaps cook and bake and certainly wait with expectation and excitement. Since Jesus will come again, we prepare and look forward to that great day. Even though we don't know the exact time, we can still fill our hearts with excitement that it will happen!
Keeping Advent as a time of preparation and expectation helps us feel a sense of celebration and anticipation. The message is clear: take hope. No matter what you face, if you follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior, there is hope. He is coming. He is coming! Let us prepare for the birth of our Lord in our own hearts and let us prepare for His coming again. Happy Advent!
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