“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’” — Jeremiah 33:14-16

Advent is one of the most popular seasons in the church calendar, it’s certainly one of mine.  Of course, culturally its popular because it means Christmas is coming and most of us look at Advent as a time to prepare for the celebration of that holiday.  But there is a depth and richness to Advent, an irony even, that runs much deeper than merely getting ready for Christmas.  “Advent” is a Latin word that means “coming” or “arrival.”  Yes, it is a season of preparing to celebrate Christ’s first coming 2,000 years ago, but even more it is a season of preparation for Christ’s return.  This dual focus makes Advent a season of promise — promise fulfilled and promise yet to come.

As foretold in Jeremiah (and Isaiah and the other prophets), the incarnation of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of God’s promises to redeem His people from sin and exile and restore His Kingdom on earth in a fuller and more beautiful way than ever before.  As the New Testament makes clear, every one of God’s promises about the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  Every single one.  We can spend our entire lives contemplating the wonder of God’s promises fulfilled in the incarnation of Christ and find there’s always more depths to explore, which is why Advent is necessary to help us prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  

What no one expected, though, was that the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ was just the beginning, the inauguration, of that work.  The completion and consummation of that work is yet to come, which is why we use this season to prepare for the glorious return of our Savior.  As certainly as He came the first time, He will surely come again.  The guarantee of His return is that He has already come, let alone how many times He said He would return (Matthew 16:27; Luke 12:40; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:20, to list just a few).  A full and complete celebration of Advent and Christmas not only looks back, but also looks ahead, anticipating the joyous return of our Savior and the consummation of the Kingdom of God.

Advent is the season that shines brightly the hope, love, joy and peace of Jesus Christ in the darkness of this world.  The irony of Advent is this: as cold of winter sets in and the leaves fall and flowers die, as the dark of winter grows longer each day, Advent reminds us that death has been defeated (1 Corinthians 15: 54-57) and the Light of Jesus Christ continues to shine forth and can not be overcome (John 1:1-14).  God will be faithful, and the promise of this season will bear fruit.  So this Advent, hold fast your hope.  Love, because He first loved us.  Rejoice in your salvation now and your salvation yet to come.  Rest, knowing that God has brought you peace, even in the midst of your enemies.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. — Hebrews 10:22-25

Blessings,

Rev. David Garrison