This week we started the advent reading cycle at our church. It is for us a simple but important reminder that we need to focus our attention of the promised coming of Jesus. It is important for a number of reasons that I wonder if you would consider.
Celebrating the advent and not just Christmas reminds us that all of this is going somewhere. Christmas in many ways has become very consumeristic. Even our family celebrations and newsletters are often more about how we are doing well than about the coming of Christ. Taking the time before the holiday gives us more time and space to reflect on the fact that what we celebrate on December 25 did not happen accidentally. Galatians 4:4 reminds us that Jesus came at precisely the intended time.
Celebrating advent also reminds us that this is still going somewhere. We look back to Jesus' first coming to earth and look forward to His second. In celebrating advent we remember that it is not just about a day, but it is about the arc of human history being aimed in a particular God-given direction. This is also an important reminder when things feel so out of control - God is moving all of our lives toward a particular and planned end.
Celebrating advent also reminds us that we should be anticipating the celebrations of the Christian calendar throughout the year. Christmas is not then end (though because it is at the end of our year we often think of it in these terms. Advent is the beginning of something greater - a pointing not just to the birth but to the death and resurrection of Christ. It points us to the coming of the Spirit. It points us to our perpetual need for the work of God in our lives.
So celebrate advent with us. And may God remind you that Jesus came to earth so that you could have life in His name.
