Advent: The Coming of Christ - Understanding the Season of Expectant Waiting
Advent is the time in the Christian year, serving as a sacred season of expectant waiting and spiritual preparation for the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. This profound period invites believers to reflect on both Christ's first coming as the promised Messiah and His anticipated return in glory.
The Meaning and Significance of Advent
The word "Advent" means "coming" or "arrival." In Christian theology, this term specifically encompasses two distinct yet interconnected events: Christ's first advent through the Incarnation and His promised second advent at the end of the age.
The biblical foundation for the first Advent rests upon numerous Old Testament prophecies that foretold the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah's prophecy declares, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (Isa 7:14). These ancient promises find their fulfillment in the New Testament account of Christ's birth, establishing Advent as a season that bridges prophetic expectation with historical reality.
The Gospel of John beautifully captures the essence of the first Advent: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (Jn 1:14). This profound mystery of the Incarnation represents God's ultimate act of love, entering human history to provide salvation for all humanity, who will accept Him.
The Dual Nature of Christ's Coming
Christian theology recognizes two distinct aspects of Christ's advent. The first advent, celebrated during Christmas, commemorates Jesus' humble birth in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago. Born of the Virgin Mary, Christ entered the world not as a conquering king but as a vulnerable infant, demonstrating God's willingness to identify completely with human experience.
The second advent refers to Christ's promised return in glory and power. Scripture teaches that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead and to establish His eternal kingdom (Mt 25:31-46; Rev 19:11-16). This future event provides hope and motivation for Christian living, encouraging believers to live in readiness and faithful service.
The tension between these two advents creates the unique character of the Advent season. Believers simultaneously celebrate the historical reality of Christ's first coming while maintaining an attitude of expectant hope for His return. This dual focus shapes both worship and daily Christian living throughout the season.
Some Traditions and Spiritual Practices
The Advent season traditionally spans the four Sundays preceding Christmas, with each Sunday representing a central theme of the Christian faith: hope, peace, joy, and love.
Advent calendars provide another meaningful way to mark the season's progression, offering daily opportunities for reflection, prayer, or acts of service. These practices help believers maintain focus on the spiritual significance of the season rather than becoming overwhelmed by commercial preparations.
Reflection and Application:
- Consider how the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love are actively reflected in your relationships and daily decisions during this season.
- Reflect on what it means to live in expectant waiting for Christ's return and how this anticipation should shape your priorities and values.
- Examine how you can cultivate a spirit of preparation that goes beyond external activities to include genuine heart transformation.
- Evaluate whether your Advent observance balances celebration of Christ's first coming with readiness for His promised return.
See also: Christmas, end times, incarnation.