Advent: Waiting on Jesus Christ

By Sarrah Jennings

It’s that time of year again – Advent. It’s always tempting to skip over Advent and jump right into the euphoria of Christmas gorging ourselves on Christmas cookies in early December. But, I believe something is lost when we rush through the beautiful, reflective season of Advent.

One of my favorite elements of Advent is its dual purpose — it’s not just a liturgical season carved out for reminiscing over the days before Christ, but a time set aside to anticipate Christ’s second, glorious coming. Like the ancient Israelites we wait in anticipation of an event we can only dimly imagine – an event where all that is right, good, and truthful will come to fruition in His perfect timing.

Gaining Perspective

“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1: 30-32

Today, the Christmas story is easily taken for granted, even among Christians. Our ears have become numb as we’ve heard the story countless times and in varied settings – the angel’s appearance to Mary, Joseph’s dream, the road to Bethlehem, the lack of room in the inn, the birth in a lowly stable, the appearance of nearby shepherds. The Nativity has acquired a certain quaintness in our culture — something to smile at while we bustle about decorated shops trying to check every name off our lists. Yet when we take time to prepare for this moment in   salvation history, to reflect on the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, a sense of awe returns. How can we put Christ’s first coming into perspective — and thus better prepare for His second?

Purposeful Waiting, Practical Waiting

And  it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians   1: 10-11

How can we make the most of this brief season and cultivate joyful, fruitful anticipation in our hearts and the hearts of our children? Scripture is always a good place to turn. Our church’s Advent season is mixed with prophetic readings from the Old Testament as well as readings about the end of time from the New Testament. The Scriptures, juxtaposed, paint an intense picture of an eternal God allowing His plan for creation to unfold for His greater glory and the benefit of those He loves. The purpose of the readings is not to get into lengthy  eschatological debates, but rather to prepare our hearts to receive Christ — both as a fragile infant and a triumphant king. Passages from Isaiah, the Psalms, Luke, Matthew and Revelations are among some of the most popular this time of year.

As we build up to these last days before Christmas, may you refrain from rushing toward December 25. Instead, find time with your family to experience the peace that comes with waiting on the Lord.

“It will be said on that day, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ Isaiah 25:9