Advent: A Season of Eager Expectation

Today marks the first weekend of Advent (which comes from the Latin word for “coming”) a tradition – typically among liturgical Christian denominations but gaining ground among more  Christian churches and homes – that focuses on  anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. Traditionally celebrated on the Sundays nearest November 30 until Christmas, Advent is a time of contemplation upon man’s eager awaiting for the Christ’s first coming to earth, and the anticipation for His return.

Many Christian homes observe Advent with the lighting of a candle on the Advent wreath on Sunday evenings and reading and meditating on Scripture passages about the coming of Jesus, the Promised Messiah, as well as His anticipated return. There are typically three purple candles that signify hope, peace, and love, and a rose-colored one that represents joy. Some families and churches have a fifth candle, a white one called  the Christ candle, that is placed in the middle of the wreath and is lit on Christmas day.

Long before we did, God’s people waited and yearned for the Messiah. Today, we need Him more than ever, now that humanity knows an emptiness that nothing in our modern technological world can fill – not even with all it allows us to do and experience. As we remember that Christ’s coming means that God loves us and has not left us in our sorry state, and that He has sent Jesus to be our Redeemer through whom those who trust Him are granted forgiveness and newness of life and peace with God, then we remember His coming with overflowing joy. When we remember and watch and get involved in the unfolding of God’s plan and await its fulfillment in His sovereign time, we anticipate His return and reign to give us true hope. No wonder creation awaits Him in eager expectation!

Make your family’s Christmas season a time of meaning and worship by starting an Advent tradition in your home. Set your family time to gather and read the Scriptures and meditate on the coming of God’s Promised Savior and of His return. Carefully (especially with children around) light an Advent candle and keep it on as you read together and meditate. (Light more candles progressively each Saturday or Sunday night. Blow them out after devotions to prevent accidents!) Some families opt to have the different members of the family take turns in leading Advent devotions. (Some families make use of creative Advent calendars as an aid to meditate every day of December on different facets and elements of the Promised Messiah, the Christmas story, and His anticipated return. This can be a family project for you and your kids! You may look up various resources for Advent devotional guides and Advent calendars online.)