Advent - A Season of Hope and Expectancy

Advent - the time of year in which we find ourselves - once again - approaching the manger and remembering the birth of our Savior, on a cold night long, long ago.  Although Advent has been celebrated by Christians for many generations, we (the Butlers) had a young man in our home this past Sunday evening who knew very little about the season.  So, let me take a few lines to talk about the rich and deep meaning of Advent.

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival."  The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.  Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history.  It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.  Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals, congregations, and families (including their adopted son Tyler) as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power.

This past Sunday evening, we lit the first purple candle of advent.  This candle is known as the Prophecy Candle or the Candle of Hope.  We, as God's children, have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us.  Our hope comes from God.  Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."  And on this night, as a small pocket of believers, we celebrated HOPE - hope that springs eternal, hope for the light that is coming, hope for the salvation of all mankind.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."  Hebrews 6:19

".......while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."  Titus 2:13

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."  Colossians 1:27

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:30-31

So, in this season of Advent, let us cling to this HOPE - may we all find His strength to endure the race which is before us.

Come, thou long-expected Jesus.  "Lord Jesus Christ, who is, who was, and who is to come, we pray for the virtue of hope, that amidst the trials and difficulties of this world, we may keep our hearts fixed upon you, who reigns over the cosmos.  May your grace enliven us, strengthen us, and defend us, as we await your coming in glory.  Amen" (David Bennett)

Selah (סֶלָה ) 





So, as the church celebrates God’s inbreaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption," it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself."