Advent… a journey of anticipation

Today marks the first day of Advent for the Christian Church. Over the past few years, this has become a more significant part of our family’s preparation for Christmas. I think we miss something if so much emphasis is put only on Christmas. Christmas celebrated today feels like Jesus “popping in” on the world and the world is just supposed to “get it.”

I don’t see Jesus “popping in” anywhere.

Jesus comes in context. As we read the Scriptures, we see the unfolding story of God, the pursuit of God toward his creation, and we see the faithful longing for the day that one will come to rescue and heal the world.

The church in the sixth century understood this. As the rhythms of the church calendar were developed and followed throughout the year, attention was given to Advent. Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. It’s readings take us through the story leading up to the Birth of Jesus (with the Church calendar continuing after Christmas- Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost…).

I think the church calendar is more important than ever. We live in an era where people’s assumptions about the Christian story are limited or non-existent. Even in the church, we tend to focus so much on Christmas eve/day, we miss what leads up to it… an incredible drama of anticipation, fear, misunderstanding, doubt, joy, danger, and hope. It’s a drama, I believe, that we still experience today. Our own lives are filled with hopes and fears and this time of year can be especially filled with joy and pain.

And, in this context:

Jesus has come…

Jesus comes (though God’s Spirit to us daily)…

Jesus is coming (once and for all to make all things right)…

Join me in this journey this year. Celebrate Christmas in context. Allow God to speak through his word and lead through the journey of Advent. See this link for Daily Advent Readings to guide you on this journey. Maybe you’ll want to ask someone to join you on this journey.

Advent is a journey of anticipation…