Advent

All around the globe, on Christmas morning, children (and some adults) wake up and shout through the house, It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas. There is something magical about this time of year. Thanksgiving is over, and we have one more holiday to look forward to until winter’s dull, gloomy days set in. Children and adults get excited about the holiday.

I looked forward to visiting Santa and getting a candy cane as a child. Also, I remember looking out the window of my house and hoping for a white Christmas. The lights on the Christmas tree would sparkle, and the season’s smells permeated the house. My mother was busy making cookies for the neighbors and our teachers. She often had several sewing projects going on also. I did not fully appreciate all she did to give my siblings and me a wonderful Christmas morning. We also looked forward to spending Christmas with family. My parents always gave us a good Christmas day; however, the real reason for Christmas was always front and center.

It is easy to get caught up in all the activities of the Christmas season. The parties, shopping, social get-togethers, baking, and decorating. This year I started to think about advent. Previously I only put a little thought into the meaning of advent. It was just something we did at church leading up to Christmas day. Advent itself is a time of preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth and the preparation for the second coming of Christ. I love how these two events are united in one word. The light of the world came as a baby, just as the Old Testament prophesied (Isaiah 7:14) to save broken and lost people. The Messiah was born. Hallelujah!

He did not come as the conquering hero the Jewish people wanted or expected. But Jesus came as a helpless baby. To grow and become a man who would go to the cross to die for all our sins. He was a servant sacrifice. In all the busyness of life, people forget that he is coming again. We need to be preparing for his second coming. Because, at the time, he will return as the conquering King. He is coming in all the glory that is rightfully his as the Son of God. He is the King of Kings.

Advent is more than just some pretty candles and a few Bible verses four weeks before Christmas. It is a time to look back at Jesus’ birth and forward to his second coming. The first candle of advent represents hope. The second candle is for love, the third is for joy, and the fourth represents peace. Through Jesus, we can experience all these qualities.

I have three children. Their births changed my world, but they did not change the world as a whole. The only birth of a newborn baby boy that changed the world was Jesus Christ. His birth set in motion the redemption of humankind. He was born, lived, died, and rose again in victory over sin and Satan. Because of his life, we also can have victory over sin, death, and Satan. Imagine how God feels when we snub our noses at the gift he graciously offers us. What would your reaction be if you planned and sacrificed for the perfect gift for a loved one and on Christmas morning, they say, “thanks but no thanks,” “I’m good”? I cannot imagine God’s heartache when people reject the gift of his only, perfect, righteous Son for the redemption of their sins. Amazingly his response to unbelieving hearts is more love, not anger. He continues to give people opportunities to repent and accept his gift of salvation.

Jesus came as a baby, an undisputed fact. He was more than just a baby; he was and is the King of the Jews. Many people at that time were too blind to see the truth right in front of them. His birth was prophesied in the Old Testament (Micah 5:2 and Hosea 11:1), but they did not realize their promised Messiah had arrived. Jesus will return; also, a fact. However, many dispute it. He will return, but this time, he is not coming as a helpless baby but in power and glory as the King he is.  (Revelation 19:11-16) This arrival will not be quiet like the night he was born. This event will be extraordinary. He is not coming to save but to judge. Many people do not believe this fact and will be caught unawares, just as some of the Jewish people of the Bible did not believe Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah.

God’s plan of redemption, for the forgiveness of our sins, was set in motion with Jesus’ birth. Out of God’s amazing love, he made a way through his Son to save us from our sins and a life of eternal judgment. (John 3:16) Not only did Jesus die for us, but when we receive him as Savior, his Spirit comes to live in us. (1 Corinthians3:16; 6:19 and Romans 8:9)

Christmas has become very commercialized. I enjoy a good light display as much as the next person. I also enjoy giving and receiving gifts. I want to avoid getting so caught up in the trimmings of Christmas that don’t remember who I am celebrating. As I look in amazement at the creativity of light displays, I want to reflect on the light of the world. Jesus is more impressive and worthy of my awe than any light show I attend.

This advent season, I want to be more mindful of God’s gift to me. I want to concentrate on the meaning of the four weeks of advent. Because of Jesus, I can have hope, love, joy, and peace. But I don’t want to limit my reflections to Jesus’ birth and forget about his second coming. I hope you enjoy all the lights, decorations, cookies, and time with loved ones this Christmas season. But don’t forget in all the busyness that one holy night 2000 years ago, the world trembled, and the angels rejoiced as the Savior of the world was born.

Merry Christmas!