Advent 2024 || Introduction: Fulfilled by Christ Alone

Advent Explained ||

Advent is a Latin word that means "coming." There are two advents noted in the Scriptures: 

• the first advent was the incarnation of Christ
• the second advent refers to the future event of Christ's return to defeat Satan forever and restore God's kingdom. 

 Our entire lives as Christians is based upon the first advent. We believe that God's Son became flesh and dwelt among us, lived a sinless life, and died a death we deserved in order to ransom us from the rule of rebellion. We've also set our hope in the second advent of Jesus as we wait eagerly in confidence for the day he comes again to reign and rule forever (Rom. 8:19; 8:23; Titus 2:13).

When is Advent? ||

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and during this time, followers of Christ Jesus come together to remember the angst of the Israelites in the Old Testament as they waited for the Messiah to come.

We celebrate his coming and anticipate his coming again.

Advent Over the years ||

Advent became a practice in the Church around the late fourth century and has continued to this day to be a yearly rhythm of pausing, pressing in, and praising God for his faithfulness revealed through the coming of Jesus.

Christmas is about celebrating the arrival of God's promised Messiah to save his people. But here's the kicker: Jesus didn't come in the manner the Israelites expected. They expected a king coming in pomp and splendor, not a baby born of a wirgin and laid in a manger. And yet, Christ came right on time in just the way God planned for the promised Messiah to appear (Gal. 4:4). Jesus is the unexpected ut perfect fulfillment of God's promises. Let's spend this Advent season digging nto God's Word to discover the truth about our perfect Savior.