Advent

We are currently in the what we as Christians call the advent season. In fact we are already near the end of that season which ends on Christmas day. Many, or perhaps most, Christian churches include something in their morning worship services during the advent season which emphasises our anticipation of the coming of the Christ child. I wonder if perhaps most of us are missing the intent of the advent season when we think only of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The anticipation most of us share during advent is that which pertains to Christmas day events. For the Christian, however, there seems to be a missing element in our observance of advent.

"Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas." The suggestion that we as Christians should be anticipating another "coming" of Jesus comes from the meaning of the Latin word "adventus." "Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word "parousia", commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting of Christians for the second coming of Christ."

Sadly the second coming, or parousia, of Christ is seldom referred to at all in a lot of our churches. Our hope as Christians is based on the promise of Christ's second appearance, a promise made by Jesus Himself, by the angels at His ascension, and by many of the writers of the New Testament. I fear that we shy away from this important subject because of the controversy that has surrounded it for so long. That's tragic. In this world of hopelessness, we need to be reassured again and again that Jesus is coming again to take us to the home He is preparing for us, to the blessed inheritance that awaits us.

I'm seeking in my own way to use advent as a time of renewing my hope in the parousia, the appearance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May all who so fervently await Christmas day and all that goes with that remember also to look forward with as much anticipation for the return of our Lord. I await His coming, do you?

Pilgrim on the way