Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
- Psalm 27:14
As I led Halogen through Advent this year, I felt like it was the first time I took into consideration what Advent truly means. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means "coming." Great, but what does that mean? In other words, what does Christ's coming mean to you? This is the question that hit me this year as I prepared for each sermon in the series.
Advent is the time of preparation for Christ’s coming. Christians prepare for celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah. Israel, who was once a great nation under kings David and Solomon, felt the sting of being separated from God. It began with their nation splitting into two kingdoms, the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. In BC 722, the Northern Kingdom fell to the Assyrians. However, Judah, and most importantly, Jerusalem and the temple were left standing. But this didn't last for long. In BC 586 the Southern Kingdom fell to the Babylonians. And worse, their temple was destroyed.
The temple symbolized the presence of the LORD with Israel. As God's chosen people, the LORD remained with them. But now, that symbol was shattered. God's people felt the shards of separation as they were driven into an unknown land. The people who were once made great now yearned longingly, and half hopelessly, for a savior. The people who were set free from oppression under Egyptian rule, turned their backs on their deliverer, and now found themselves oppressed under Babylonian rule.
During Advent, we remember how much we ourselves need a savior, and we look forward to our Lord’s second coming by celebrating in remembrance his first coming at the first Christmas. It is during this season that we keep in mind both “advents” of Christ, the first in Bethlehem and the second yet to come. In other words, Christ's coming means that we have hope. As we wait expectantly on the LORD, we are given hope of a brighter future. Our hope is not in people, doctors, politicians, or the economy. Our hope is in Christ Jesus our Lord, the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
But it does not stop there. We are also given peace as we wait on the LORD. We are not merely given temporary peace that can be experienced by the absence of war, the baby sleeping quietly through the night without waking up, the ability to put up Christmas decorations without arguing or feeling frustrated with our spouse, or the sweet phone call that the annoying relative won't be at the Christmas dinner this year. We are given eternal peace that dissolves our fears and worries. The peace Jesus offers is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.
It is by the very presence of God that we can experience joy. The first Christmas was announced by an angel saying, “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy! This news is for everyone!” The angel proclaimed, “Joy to the World” because the Reason to smile beyond temporary happiness was born on Christmas day. Jesus is God’s invitation to heaven’s eternal celebration that begins here on earth for those who have the joy of Christ in their hearts.
Those who have Christ in their hearts are able to know true love. The world has corrupted love, confusing it with sexual attraction, self-centered motives, and supporting it on a fickle foundation of emotions rather than commitment. Jesus came, humbled as a servant and obedient even to death, because of love. Love is when you feel a deep and genuine connection to someone else. You are cared for, cherished, and appreciated, not because of anything you do, but because of who you are. This is the love Jesus has for us.
As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we recognize that God is calling us to come home. Through grace and by God’s love, we are given the true gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ. Without Christ, we will never know the true meaning of home. We may own all the stuff that is supposed to make the “perfect home,” but we will still dwell in inescapable emptiness and un-fulfillment without Jesus Christ. But in Christ, we find fulfillment. And more than that, we are filled to overflowing with the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love of God.
This year, I recognized my authority in Christ to declare my freedom from fear because I always have HOPE in Christ. Tomorrow can be different. Paul writes in Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
This year, I understood my authority in Christ to declare my freedom from anxiety and stress because I always have PEACE in Christ. Chaos and calamity can never overcome those who are in Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 says, "May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way."
This year, I embraced my authority in Christ to declare my freedom from despair because I always have JOY in Christ. Though our circumstances may fluctuate and our situations may vary we have an unwavering home in Jesus Christ.
This year, I felt my authority in Christ to declare my freedom from un-forgiveness. Even though we live in a world that is unkind, unfair and unforgiving, our true citizenship is found in the LOVE of Christ. This is how we defeat evil. We counter evil with good. We counter hatred with love. We counter darkness with light.
As Christians, we declare our assurance that through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ our names are written in the Book of Life. The Light of Jesus Christ defeats all darkness. Moreover, we declare our commitment to be channels of Christ's light that we may be used to offer the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love we have in Christ to all people everywhere. Advent reminds us to celebrate and take seriously the gift we have received by God's grace; the gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord, and our responsibility to give freely the gift of Jesus Christ's light and love to the world as we wait his second advent.
