Advent

Latin "adventus" is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second coming of Christ (Wikipedia).

Week one is about Hope. Jesus Christ is the Hope of the world. God has promised a Savior who would take away our sins. The Incarnate Christ, the God-man, is the Savior of the world. "Put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." (Psalm 130:7). "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength..." (Isaiah 40:31). "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." (Romans 15:12).

Week two is about Peace. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. Often we associate peace as the absence of conflict. But the Peace Jesus is and offers is the wellness and wholeness of our entire being, altogether. It is wholeness spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. He is our Peace. He has reconciled us to God by his death on the cross by paying the full price for our sins.

The third week is about Joy. Jesus Christ is our Joy. When his coming was announced by the angel, the angel said, "I bring you tidings of great joy." His coming was anticiapted for so long and now he was here. This was great news of joy. We sing "Joy to the world the Lord has come!"

The fourth week is about Love. Jesus Christ is our God of Love. He demonstrated the full measure of love by coming to earth to redeem us, transform us, give us a new life to live and the promise of eternal life with him forever.

Advent is about the preparing, the anticipating, and the longing for the coming of Jesus. He came as it was foretold and he will come a second time just as he said. Do you have this sense of longing for his second coming? Are you preparing and anticipating his coming?

May this Advent season remind you of Jesus' first AND second comings, which should inspire a great hope, a strong enduring peace, an overflowing response of joy, and a life lived by love. O Come O Come Emmanuel - Rejoice! Rejoice!

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. (Romans 15:13). "The grace of God, which has brought us salvation, has appeared to all men; teaches us to say no to all ungodliness, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:12-13).