This Season of Advent

The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival,” and we prepare our lives for the coming of the Lord. Advent is more than simply the remembrance of Christ’s first coming over 2,000 years ago. It is a celebration of God’s personal revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ, and a reminder that He is faithful to all His promises, both past and future. Because Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies about His first coming as our Savior, we can be certain that He will come again in fulfillment of the Scriptures as Lord.

During the Advent season, the music and other service elements reflect these overarching themes. The tension of anticipation will be more noticeable early in the Advent season, reflected in songs like “O Come, Emmanuel,” which has a more somber style and is written in a minor key. As the season progresses and more candles are lit, the music gets brighter and more joyful until Christmas Eve when we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World.

As we remember God’s faithfulness throughout history, Advent reminds us to gratefully affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today by His Holy Spirit, and that He will come again to reign on the earth. As the people of God in this present age, we are called to live holy lives, “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).