Advent (from the Latin Adventus, sc. Redemptoris, "the coming of the Saviour") means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the season is the
anticipation of the coming of the Lord, so Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, preparation, and longing.
This was the message of John the Baptist.
Mark 1:7-8 (NIV)
7 And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with
water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
John longed for the One who was coming.
What are you longing for?
The anticipation of the Coming of the Messiah throughout the Old Testament was the longing for redemption from oppression and injustice, and from the systemic evil of the world. Advent is about the hope and anticipation that God, however distant He sometimes seems, will come as a King who will rule with truth and justice and righteousness over His people and in His creation.
Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
But we live ‘between the times’, between the first advent and second advent of Jesus. In this double focus on past and future, we affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. This calls for careful, thoughtful living
2 Peter 3:11-14 (NIV)
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way,
what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to
live holy and godly lives 12
as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise
we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,
the home of righteousness.
14 So then, dear friends,
since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
As we live in anticipation and longing, what kind of people should we be?
