Advent-It's All About Jesus
"Long ago in many ways and at many times God’s prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. But now at last, God sent his Son
to bring his message to us. God created the universe by his Son,
and everything will someday belong to the Son."
Hebrews 1:1-2 CEV
The formal definition of Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming".
Yesterday, our harpist daughter performed a service at our church called "A Time of Remembrance". It was a time to be still and allow ourselves to reflect (even grieve if our spirit was so calling) on those we love who have gone on ahead of us. As I sat in the worship center, I caught myself sighing several times and realized how desperately I needed that quiet time of quiet reflection. I could have stayed there another hour.
We are now entering the Christian season of Advent. It's all about Jesus. The phraseL
Expectant waiting and preparation caught my attention in the above definition.
I'm just realizing how closely these two processes go together.
I could spew off a worldly list of things I'm waiting for expectantly. Another delivery from UPS. A doctor's appointment to come to fruition. Ten needed pounds to come off. The decorations to go up or to accept it's okay if they don't. A nursing home space to open up for my father in law. And the list could go on. But none of those things are about Jesus.
Besides the big whopper event of Christ's return, what are we expectantly waiting for him to
do in our lives? Are we availing ourselves to be changed from the inside out? For we know for certainty, He's still working on us. Are we living lives that reflect an expectancy of His return?
When someone asks us how we are preparing for Christmas will we reply,
"It's all about Jesus! He's coming again you know! Are you prepared to meet Him?
"Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Bible. He is the constant
theme of its sacred pages; from first to last they testify of Him."
Charles Spurgeon