The first coming of Christ the Lord, God’s son and our God, was in obscurity; the second will be in the sight of the whole world. When he came in obscurity no one recognized him but his own servants; when he comes openly he will be known by both good people and bad. When he came in obscurity, it was to be judged; when he comes openly it will be to judge. Augustine (AD 354–430)

Advent begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving and takes us all the way to Christmas Eve. The word advent means "the arrival" and so for Christians, this is a season where we celebrate the promise of the advent or arrival of the promised Messiah and King. Why do we care? What difference does it makes if Jesus is who he says he is and is able to do what he promises he does and will do? Consider these ancient words in the Older Testament from Isaiah 65:18 which says,

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people, the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard no more.

Advent is a time we reconnect with the promise of the arrival of this promised one: the one who makes all things new, restores us, and connects us to Lord who is actually able to do what he promises. The one who is able to give us an unshakeable hope to renew, restore, and sustain us.

We live in a world that pulls and seeks our attention. We often prepare for the worst, suffer in silence, and cross our fingers with the idea that hopefully, tomorrow will be better. Advent is God's promise to us that he would send a loveing Lord to meet us with his power, grace, and mercy. And so each year we re-enter that Older Testament anticipation that the Messiah would come ... and then Christmas morning happens! Christ is born!

Here are some ways to re-enter the anticipation and eternal hope Advent invites us into each year:

1. Come to worship on Sunday's during Advent: We will sing Christmas songs in anticipation of Christ's arrival on Christmas morning. For four weeks, we will remember together what God has promised and prepare our hearts for Christmas Eve.
2. Reflect personally on the reality that Christ was promised, Christ arrived as a child, and now the Spirit is more and more bringing the love and grace of Christ into your heart and mind today. Sunday worship is important for this, but perhaps pick up an Advent Devotional to guide you in purposefully calling upon God's renewing grace during this season.
3. Reflect as a family on Advent: We will have family Advent devotionals for you at Grace Presbyterian Church. Children's Church will have an Advent theme and you will find resources to help you remember together the power of this season.
4. Lastly, consciously prepare your heart and long for him to draw you close. Jesus promises to work in our hearts and to never leave us of course. Advent can be a season where you seek to quite the noise of life and say, "Today Lord, I ask for your grace shape me, shape my family, and enable me to express your love towards others because you came, were born, and reign today!"

I will end this blog post with another quote for you to reflect on as you enter into Advent with anticipation:

Advent is a time when we ask, even plead with God not to leave us alone, for when God leaves us to our own choices and turns us over to our own ways, we are certain to drift from him. Our indifference to God is soon turned into spiritual boredom, a boredom that leads to spiritual inertia and ultimate death to spiritual realities. Advent is a time to cry, “O God, turn me away from my indifference, create in me a heart of repentance, and lead me to the waters of spiritual refreshment.”

Webber, Robert E.. Ancient-Future Time (Ancient-Future) . Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

The good news of the gospel is that because of our newborn King, he will turn us more and more toward his grace and mercy as we seek him together through the gospel. Advent is a wonderful time to sync your heart with the heart of the One who loves you most. May he refresh and renew each of us as we anticipate his work among us.