ADVENT '19: HOPE, PEACE, JOY, LOVE

Advent means—coming

 
About Advent: Advent is the name given to the season leading up to Christmas. 
It begins four Sundays before December 25,  some calendar years its sometimes on the last weekend of November, and in others, it is sometimes on the first Sunday in December. This year it is December 1st!

Advent has traditionally been a four week period of preparing our hearts, a sort of re-enactment so to speak, of the coming of Christ.  So during those weeks, we reflect on Christ the promised Savior as our HOPE (week1); our PEACE (week 2); our JOY (week 3) and LOVE (4th Sunday week into Christmas Eve). On Christmas, there is an explosion of celebration for the Christ child in memory, bt also the Risen Savior who is yet to come (Advent, coming-He is coming again!)

Scripture, Pslams, and Hymns help guide our hearts through prophecy and the fulfillment of  God's eternal plan. As we lean into and surrender unto the refreshing power of true anticipation of the returning King, our hearts cannot help but fall in love with the one who loves us with faithful, empowering, liberating and eternal love.  Practicing Advent,  with family, friends, neighbors is an intentional way to be brought near to what it must have been like for the Shepherds watching their flock at night when that caroling band of angels appeared. 

" Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:13-14)

We are drawn into the travel and journey of the wise men of the East who travel afar to Jerusalem, guided by the star to find this king baby who would the baby of us all!

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,  saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”  (Matthew 2:2) 

 LOOKING BACK

We look back to 1 Peter 1:10-12  as a foundation for our Hope

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. 11 They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.[a] 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.  (The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers.)

 LOOKING FORWARD

• Advent reminds us we are NOT the center of the universe or the main character of the BIG STORY of scripture.

• Advent affords us a grand opportunity to imagine the long-awaited Messiah, as so many saints, past and present await and anticipate. 

• Advent brings our frantic activities to a slow halt, so we can really appreciate and the real "reason for the season"- Christ Jesus.

• Advent teaches us patience, which is a treasured fruit of the spirit.

• Advent raises our confidence in the promises of God. The intentional, purposeful practice of this season increases our anticipation for the Second coming of  King Jesus.

So dear friends together, let's sing, " O come, O come, Emmanuel."