Advent – the arrival of a notable person, thing or event. In its original language, advent means “to come”. So advent is about waiting. Today, we buy advent calendars to denote the days until Christmas. Over two thousand years ago, the Jewish people waited for the Messiah. And today, we wait for Him again.
Jesus came, was born as a baby in order to die in our place – a substitutionary death to pay for our sins. This is the “coming” that we celebrate at Christmas time.
By coming to earth and following God’s plan, Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven and have relationship with God. But He has not yet taken his rightful place as ruler of this world. We live in the time between the rejection of the king and His second coming. We as believers wait.
There is tension in this waiting. We celebrate His coming. We know the joy of forgiveness and the hope of our future with Him forever. And yet we feel the pain of the havoc rained down on us by the prince of this world. That’s why we can thank God for sending our Savior into the world and also ask Him to come back quickly for His people.
As believers, we hold both joy and pain. Contentment and longing. But we aren’t left to deal with it alone.
Jesus Came
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Jesus Left the Holy Spirit for Us
These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:25-26
In This Time We Are
Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13
Jesus Will Come Again
So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin [He already did this with His death on the cross] but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28
May we praise God this Christmas for what He has done, His presence here with us now, and all that He promises will come.
And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!
Although it’s not a Christmassy post, the topic is timely nonetheless. Does Tolerance Always = Loving Others? by Donna Reidland should be required reading for every believer. The deceiver has been working overtime in this area and we need to be reminded of the truth of God’s Word. It will always be the most loving thing.
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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What a beautiful post and a beautiful reminder!
Thank you so much for reading, Cori.
Lauren, thank you so much for featuring my post from last week. I pray that we will all have the courage to speak the truth in love even when it’s hard. And it is hard. I know I need God’s help every time! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
My pleasure, Donna. That message is important in a world that equates love with agreement! Merry Christmas.
Waiting with expectation – yet living fully in the wait! I am glad we celebrate this season to remind us to live joy in that wait! Merry Christmas, Lauren!
Thank you for phrasing it like that. I needed it.
Simply beautiful Lauren. As you celebrate the miracle of this special season, may your heart be filled with joy and peace. May these Christmas blessings linger in your home and stay with you throughout the year. Blessings.
Visiting today from Remember Me Monday #5&6
Thank you so much, Paula. Blessings to you!
Lauren,
One of my favorite ways to “get my heart right for Advent” is to read Ann Voskamp’s “The Greatest Gift” and to put the ornaments for each devotion on my Jesse tree. So true we are between advents. I find my heart yearning with anticipation for His coming again. What a God — He not only came once, but will come again.
Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Bev xx
I don’t think I’ve read this one. Thanks for the suggestion, Bev!