What does it mean to celebrate Advent?

Posted on Nov 17, 2020   Topic : Inspirational/Devotional, Men's Christian Living, Women's Christian Living
Posted by : Tsh Oxenreider

Advent means “arrival,” and it speaks of a beginning—the beginning. Not only is the start of Advent the first day of the liturgical calendar, and thus a “New Year’s Day” for Christians, but it also assumes the arrival of something—or someone. Advent is more than counting down the days until Christmas with paper cutout doors revealing chocolate, biding time until most children’s favorite day of the year finally dawns.

Like someone anticipating the arrival of a dinner guest, we are invited into the rhythm of Advent to prepare. We do more than impatiently drum our fingers on the table until we’re allowed to open gifts under the tree. We prepare ourselves.

Similar to our culture’s view of the first day of January as an invitation to reinvent ourselves, Advent gives us the chance to transform our lives—but in small, much more significant ways than a new workout regimen or a less cluttered closet. We are offered the chance to pause the push of holiday merriment and slowly inch away from the shadows. This is a small but significant cultural resistance we can practice in our homes, minds, emotions, and relationships.

Soon we will celebrate the arrival of Advent—starting this year on November 27^th—and soon enough, we’ll mark the arrival of the Christ child. But for now, we revel in this invitation and prepare inwardly.

Pray

Psalm 147:1-5,8-9:

Praise the Lord!

How good it is to sing praises to our God;

for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted,

and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure...

He covers the heavens with clouds,

prepares rain for the earth,

makes grass grow on the hills.

He gives to the animals their food,

and to the young ravens when they cry.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Ask

What is your honest hope for this Advent season?

Listen

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (“Lobe den Herren”) by Joachim Neander

Reflect

When Dark Gives Way to Light (2018) by Meena Matocha

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