The Case for Advent

It is that time again! The temperature is dropping, the leaves are falling, and the smell of winter

is ever so slightly in the air. The talk of supply chain issues and workforce shortages among the

backdrop of the holidays has anxiety levels raised, as people wonder what Christmas will look

like this year. In the midst of getting caught up in the churn of Black Friday, Cyber Monday,

holiday parties, Amazon packages, Santa, Elf on the Shelf and whatever else is thrown our way,

I want to take a moment to make a case for a season that often get misunderstood. A season

that is overlooked. A season that frames not only Christmas but the entire year. I want to make

a case for Advent.

The season of Advent marks of the beginning of the Christian liturgical calendar and runs from

late November to Christmas Eve. The word “advent” means “arrival” or “coming”. During this

season we focus on the Advent(s) of Christ. Yes, not just one Advent but three.

First, we focus on the first Advent of Christ in which Jesus was born of Mary, crucified, died,

buried, and resurrected. We focus on Jesus, the eternal Son of God coming in the flesh to

redeem us. During this season we focus on the initiative of God toward the world shown in

Christ and look back to his Advent of Redemption.

Second, we focus on the current Advent of Christ in which his very presence exists in Word and

sacrament. We focus on the reality that every time Christ’s Church is together, prays together,

eats together, the Word is preached, and the gospel sacraments are administered the Holy

Spirit is actively renewing us in the image of Christ. During this season we focus on the tension

of life in the current Advent knowing that God is present and we are deeply loved in the midst

of an Advent of Renewal.

Thirdly, we focus on the future Advent of Christ when Jesus will come back in the glory to make

all things new. We focus on the reality that Jesus is the King of the universe that recreates all

things. All will be made right. That no matter what happens “we win” because Christ has

already secured the victory. During this season we look beyond history to the consummation of

his coming victory and focus on the Advent of Recreation.

Advent is not just a pre-game warmup for Christmas. It frames redemptive reality that carries

us through the trials and triumphs of life together. I want to personally invite you to re-frame

Advent this year and encounter Christ in a different way.