Merry Christmas to all! It may seem a bit early to be saying “Merry Christmas”, but this Sunday marks the First Sunday of Advent. Advent means arrival and this four week period leading up to Christmas is meant to be a period of focusing on the coming arrival of God in the flesh.

 

Jay Herndon in Why I celebrate Advent, says, “The night Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem from their wearying pilgrimage they had no police escort, no welcome committee, no warm fire and hot meal; in fact, they found no room in the inn. No one was prepared for the Lord’s arrival. Even though Isaiah had commanded, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,’ most people simply went about their daily routines, unaware that the greatest invasion of eternity had occurred while they slept. The kingdom of God had broken in upon them.

Observing Advent causes us to retell how Christ humbly came to a world of hurting people, to hold on to the hope that He will visit us in our needs, and to be warned that many will not be prepared for His second coming in the same way people were not prepared for His first coming.”

 

How often have you heard or wished you could somehow let go of the commercialized busyness and secular pomp and ceremony of Christmas and “keep Christ in Christmas”? We long for a less hectic schedule and more meaningful connections with family and friends but every year we seem to miss it in the frantic pace of holiday stuff. Herndon suggests that our mistake is in calling for an end to secular practices but failing to replace them with faith-building activities. This is why we need Advent.

 

In the early days of the church, Christians established religious holy days to help them build faith and community. They celebrated Christ’s birth, the crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost. Christmas and Resurrection were so important to them that they attached times of preparation for both – Advent and Lent.

 

Advent is observed the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. During this time many churches and families set up an Advent Wreath, lighting one candle each Sunday. As the candles are lighted Scriptures are read and hymns are sung to remind us of truths surrounding the coming of Jesus into the world. Some families buy or make a special Advent devotional guide which directs daily devotions in remembering all God has done by sending Jesus as the Savior and hope of the world.

 

Herndon says these activities should not be viewed as rituals to be observed but as object lessons and prophetic symbols to teach our hearts and grow our faith. In our churches and families we must explain what we are doing and why.

 

Celebrating Advent can open up a fresh and profound understanding of the hope that was sent to earth over 2000 years ago. It can help us to navigate the always fast pace of the Christmas season by taking time to prepare that place in our hearts for the Lord to be born anew, so to speak. Herndon says he celebrates Advent to obey Isaiah’s command, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” I think that’s a pretty good reason. I always want to be ready for Jesus! How about you? Just a thought.