Although not a question I have received this year, many have wondered about the season of Advent. Before long it becomes evident that the word “advent” is not found in scripture, yet as we will see it is an important time in the life of the Christian.
Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and is celebrated during the four weeks before Christmas. It is a time where we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth, receive the risen Christ, and wait with hope for Christ’s coming in final victory.
The focus of the season is the celebration of Christ’s birth in His First Advent (or coming), and the anticipation of the return of His Second. Thus, Advent is more than the marking of an event in history. Instead we celebrate the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation is reconciled to God.
Through this double focus, we affirm and are reminded that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, anticipation, preparation, and longing for Christ’s return.
Where did Advent come from?
Christians have celebrated the incarnation and nativity of Christ on December 25th since the early part of the third century; just a few generations removed from the apostles. By 336 AD when the Philocalian Calendar was first used, Christmas Day was already a respected and tenured tradition. Although there is no historical evidence that Christ was born on that day; the conversion of the pagan tribes of Europe left a gaping void where the winter cult festivals were once held.
It was both a culturally convenient and evangelically expedient to exchange the one for the other. So joy replaced desperation. Christians’ feasts replaced new moon sacrifices. Christ replaced Baal, Molech, Apollo, and Thor. The celebration of the unconquered sun, was replaced with the celebration of the Savior of the World.
To the early Christians, different meanings were to be found in the days of Advent; and in the sixth century, it was a time when Christians reflected on the meaning of Christmas and when new believers were prepared for baptism. Until WWII most people who celebrated Advent dwelled more on the time when Jesus would return, than on the first coming. But as Christmas evolved into a holiday for children, Advent also evolved into a time to remember the child in the manger.
Why do we celebrate Advent today?
For centuries Christians have used the month prior to Christmas to ready their hearts and their homes for the great festival. Advent is this season of preparation; a time set aside to contemplate what the coming of Jesus meant to the world and to our own soul. It was a time of quiet introspection, personal examination, and repentance. A time to slow down, to take stock of the things that matter the most, and to do a thorough inner housecleaning.
We moderns do a bit of preparation as well during the crowded hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas: shopping for presents, compiling guest lists, mailing holiday greeting cards, perusing catalogs, decorating hearth and home, baking favorite confections, and getting ready for one party after another. However, that hardly constitutes the kind of preparation that is meant. Instead, Advent helps guard us against such things and thus, is more relevant today than ever before!
Throughout the season many traditions are used to assist us in the preparation process. When presented in the proper way, Advent grows our understanding of the ‘reason for the season.’ It heightens the senses and emotions and sets the stage for the wonder of Christmas. Christmas is still Christmas without Advent, but the festive four week countdown puts the holiday into the proper perspective.
The best way to prepare for the coming of the Lord is to make straight His pathways in our hearts.
“It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” - “a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” Mark 1:2-3
Join us this season at Amery Free Lutheran Church as we “Prepare our Home” for the Coming Christ this Christmas Season.
Wednesday in December: 1st - 8th - 15th
Christmas Coffee House
6:30 - 7:00 PM
Enjoy a time of fellowship with you church family over some christmas goodies.
Family Advent Celebration
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Christmas Carols - Family Activities - Promise of Coming Christ
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 24th 4:00 PM
Christmas Worship
Sunday December 26th 10:15 AM
