This Advent season, my family and I will be reading a Bible verse each day after dinner. Please join us as we celebrate the coming of the Lord!
What is "Advent?"
Advent is a church season celebrated each year in the four weeks leading to Christmas. The word "advent" comes from the Latin word for "coming."
In church history, this season was marked by fasting, prayer, and anticipation of the Lord Jesus' return. Advent fasting ended in celebration feasts and gatherings with other believers.
Many churches celebrate Advent with the lighting of four candles, one for each Sunday leading up to Christmas.
Why should we celebrate Advent?
As a boy, the best part of Christmas was the excited anticipation of opening presents. It was difficult to wait, almost unbearable, when wrapped presents would emerge from my parent's closed off bedroom.
Advent teaches us about waiting, which seems so foreign to us in these busy times. "Waiting" seems to be replaced (earlier each year, I might add!) by "getting" and "consuming." Left to ourselves, we're tempted by idols such as efficiency, justifying our busy-ness with the belief that waiting is wasteful.
As Christ-followers, we confess that the infant born has the last word; we celebrate the waiting for the final Advent; we connect with early believers who witnessed the birth of Jesus;
How can we celebrate Advent?
During Advent, we can take time to practice the discipline of waiting. Here are a few ideas:
- Reading Scripture together as a family;
- Keep the TV off for a time to focus on how we can serve others;
- List how God is working in life today;
- Deepen our relationship with God through reading, prayer, and serving together;
John 1: 1-5
The Eternal Word
In the beginning the Word
already existed.
The Word was with
God,
and the Word was God. He existed in the
beginning with God. God created everything
through him,
and nothing was created except through
him. The Word gave life to
everything that was created, and his life
brought light to everyone. The light shines in the
darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. (NLT)
