30 Nov, 2010
The Meaning of Advent
This week marks the beginning of the Advent season, a time traditionally set apart by Christians to prepare for the celebration of Christmas.
For many of us, Advent means little more than a candle-lighting at church, or maybe the opening of a cardboard calendar with a chocolate treat for each day of December. But here's some things you might not know about Advent:
- Advent means "coming."
- Traditionally, advent was a time of waiting and fasting. (kind of the opposite of the parties & feasting that occur these days!)
- The advent candles are usually purple for the first two Sundays to represent our need to repent. The pink candle represents joy for the coming Savior.
- Advent is about both celebrating Christ's birth, and acknowledging that we wait in anticipation of Christ's return.
Isaiah 9:6
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.
Romans 8:23-25
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
What does today's God's story scripture teach me about the Christmas season?
Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Tacky Light Tours. It seems like the month of December can be about anything BUT Jesus. Yet for centuries, the church has practiced the season of Advent, a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
The prophet Isaiah waited for a Messiah. Written centuries before Jesus' birth, the book of Isaiah gives specific information about who this Jesus would be. And all of those prophecies came true!
Advent isn't just about remembering the waiting time before Jesus' birth. It's also a reminder of the waiting we continue to do. Jesus promised that he would come again and establish a new heaven and earth. The Christmas season is also about remembering that this life we live is NOT the end. God has offered us eternal life through the person of Jesus, and we have so much more to look forward to beyond this life!
How can I connect today's God's story scripture to my life?
- So often, we think more about the "here and now" concerns of daily life than about taking time to marvel at how big God truly is. Advent is a chance to remember that there is so much more to hope and wait for!
- Advent is traditionally a time of repentance and fasting. Take time today to ask God to forgive you not putting him first in your heart. Repentance leads to gratitude--and knowing how much you need Jesus helps you to celebrate that he came and what he did for each of us!
How can I connect today's God's Story Scripture and my story to others?
- Many people are familiar with Christmas passages from attending church around this time. Having more context and background to the story, such as about Isaiah, is something you can share with others to breathe life into the familiar story.
- Read Isaiah 40 and Isaiah 53 to locate some of the other prophesies about what Christ would do.
- Step out and invite a friend to a church or youth event this season!
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
