WHY ADVENT?

 

Sunday, November 29, 2020

 

WHY ADVENT?

 

Luke 1:52-54

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

 

           I have a dear friend who questions why Baptist should observe Advent, seeing it is, as he thinks it to be, a purely Catholic observance. While this is not to rebut his opinion, perhaps it needs some explanation.

 

In the Catholic Church, Advent is a period of preparation extending over the four Sundays before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, "to come to," and refers to the coming of Christ. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.

 

Advent is a season of hope more than a date! Any child can tell you that waiting for Christmas requires a discipline and patience that he does not have. For Christians, especially in these crazy days, waiting for the return of Christ is filled with anxiety. We feel He is near, and we know we need to be personally prepared for His coming. Advent provides that time of preparation.

 

           Our Scripture, above, is a quote from the song of Mary which we call The Magnificat. She, pregnant with the Son of the Most High, sings out in inspired song regarding the hope of her people – and our hope. (See First Timothy 1:1).

 

1 Thess 1:8-10

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

 

           Hope for the believer is not some wispy, filmy wish for the impossible. It is founded upon the promises of a steadfast and loving God.

 

Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people’s everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear Thy servants when they call.

 

Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
Hast found the medicine, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruined race.

 

Dear Lord, fill us with hope and then fulfill our hope with your grace. AMEN