Today marks the beginning of Advent, the Christian season of preparation and anticipation for Christmas.
For most Christians, Advent is a time to slow down, spend time with God and community, serve others, and prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This is good and right.
But concentration only The birth of Christ robs us of the full meaning of Advent.
The word “Advent” is of Latin origin. Adventus, This can be translated as “arrival” or “coming.” words adventus, Additionally, it is used to translate Greek ParousiaA word in the Greek New Testament that refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Why is this important?
Not only is Advent a season of looking forward to the long-awaited arrival of the Messiah, Jesus, but it is also a season of looking forward to and preparing for the Second Coming of Christ.
Let us prepare our hearts not only for the Incarnation, but also for the triumphal return of Christ and the consummation of all creation.
During Advent, we should remember what Jesus' two comings were like. According to Biblical scholar Dr. Jonathan Gibson,They are “sharply contrasting” but “inextricably linked.”
“If he first came in quiet humility to a few, the second time he will come in enthusiastic glory to many. First he was wrapped in swaddling clothes, If he was being escorted by someone else, he would have to cover his entire body the second time. At his first coming, the magicians saw him sitting in a lowly manger, in a bright light, accompanied by angels, but at his second coming, he was seated on a royal throne. “You'll be seen by the crowd,” Gibson said.
Why is this important? Because, as Gibson explains, Christ's first and second comings “finish” Christ's work of salvation.
“At His First Coming, Christ came to inaugurate His Kingdom (Mark 1:15) and secure the salvation of His people (John 6:39). The fulfillment of the kingdom was only partially applied at the first coming (2 Timothy 4:1), and the fullness of salvation was only fully applied at the second coming of Christ. (Philippi) 1:6),” explains Gibson. “What Christ began at his first coming, he will return to complete at his second coming.”
Therefore, the season of Advent is full of temporal tension.
As we remember Christ's first coming and prepare for his second coming, we come to accept living in a state of “already come but not yet come.” It means that the hope of Christ's Second Coming and His imminent victory over all creation shapes the way we live today.
At the same time, Advent is a time of fostering joyful anticipation. God is faithful and so is Christ intention Please go back to make everything right. As we wait a long time for God's return, God's faithfulness gives us hope and patience as we continue to wait for that glorious day.
So, as we light our Advent candles, open our Advent calendars, and sing Advent hymns, let's remember the full meaning of the Advent season. Let us prepare our hearts not only for the Incarnation, but also for the triumphal return of Christ and the consummation of all creation.
Prayer on the first Sunday of Advent
From the Book of Common Prayer.
Almighty God,
Please grant us the grace to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light in this world, when your Son Jesus Christ has so humbly come to visit us. That we may be raised to immortal life at the last day when He returns in His glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead. Through one God who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
