This past Sunday marked the beginning of the liturgical year. It has traditionally been known as a time of repentance, prayer, fasting and confession. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is intended to be a season of anticipation. Advent ends on at the end of December 24th.
During the entire season of Advent we have an opportunity to remember the Israelites’ anticipation of the Messiah. The Israelites anxiously awaited a savior and king for many years. Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of the promise of a Messiah and the coming of the King.
Yet we do not only remember that anticipation, we also experience our own anticipation. Just as the Israelites were anxiously awaiting their King and Savior to come and free them from the situation they were in, so too we await the second coming of Christ, to bring about ultimate salvation that he started (and we have all continued) on the cross.
So what does it mean to be in the Advent season? Well, firstly, I recommend getting excited! As we anticipate, we have the joy of knowing that God will fulfill God’s promises, that Jesus truly IS coming back, and while it may, or may not be this year, we are ever closer to that day! Enter joyful expectation and anticipation as we remind ourselves that just as Christ came once, He is coming again!
Traditionally the first week of Advent also focuses on the need for repentance. If this isn’t a part of your normal life, take time this week to examine your life and repent of sins which you have been indulging in.
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