Tis The Season .. But What Is Advent?

Photo Credit: www.SantaFeChurch.org

So it is the 19th of December, and we are nearing THE DAY (aka the day in which we celebrate the Savior of the world being born), and I have seen the word Advent more than ever this year! It seems to have become trendy overnight, and the “calendars” can get up there in price. Admittedly, I have never celebrated the days leading up to Christmas in any particular fashion, but wanted to share with you all exactly what it is.

The following was taken from Christianity.com, and written by Justin Holcomb.

WHAT IS ADVENT?

What Is Advent?

For many Christians unfamiliar with the liturgical year, there may be some confusion surrounding the meaning of the Advent season. Some people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent.

The History of Advent

The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4^th and 5^th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.

By the 6^th century, however, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas.

Advent Today

Today, the season of Advent lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new Christian year begins with the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6. (Advent begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd each year.) 

Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s cry during the Advent season:

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

While Israel would have sung the song in expectation of Christ’s first coming, the church now sings the song in commemoration of that first coming and in expectation of the second coming in the future.

Advent Liturgy and Practice

To balance the two elements of remembrance and anticipation, the first two Sundays in Advent (through December 16^th) look forward to Christ’s second coming, and the last two Sundays (December 17^th – 24^th) look backward to remember Christ’s first coming. Over the course of the four weeks, Scripture readings move from passages about Christ’s return in judgment, to Old Testament passages about the expectation of the coming Messiah, to New Testament passages about the announcements of Christ’s arrival by John the Baptist and the Angels.

While it is difficult to keep in mind in the midst of holiday celebrations, shopping, lights and decorations, and joyful carols, Advent is intended to be a season of fasting, much like Lent, and there are a variety of ways that this time of mourning works itself out in the season. Reflection on the violence and evil in the world cause us to cry out to God to make things right—to put death’s dark shadows to flight. Our exile in the present makes us look forward to our future Exodus. And our own sinfulness and need for grace leads us to pray for the Holy Spirit to renew his work in conforming us into the image of Christ.

One catechism describes Advent spirituality beautifully: “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’”

Advent and the Christian Life

While Advent is certainly a time of celebration and anticipation of Christ’s birth, it is more than that. It is only in the shadow of Advent that the miracle of Christmas can be fully understood and appreciated; and it is only in the light of Christmas that the Christian life makes any sense. It is between the fulfilled promise of Christ’s first coming and the  yet-to-be-fulfilled promise of his second coming that Karl Barth penned these words: “Unfulfilled and fulfilled promise are related to each other, as are dawn and sunrise. Both are promise and in fact the same promise. If anywhere at all, then it is precisely in the light of the coming of Christ that faith has become Advent faith, the expectation of future revelation. But faith knows for whom and for what it is waiting. It is fulfilled faith because it lays hold on the fulfilled promise.” The promise for Israel and the promise for the church is Jesus Christ; he has come, and he will come again. This is the essence of Advent.

Atlanta Be Tripping (Helping the Homeless is now a Crime Edition)

TBT Christmas Volunteers 2014

Yes, what you have heard is true, you can now get a citation ticket for handing out food to the homeless in Atlanta. Our area actually low key knew this was coming for over a month now, as another group who goes to Little 5 Points during the week got ticketed and let the grapevine know. However, want to hear a blessing? That same week one of our partners, Tapesty Church, secured a space in the community center down the street for two days a week (Sunday morning and Thursday afternoon). For over 30 years one of these rooms was served by a Rev Meeks (and his wife), who had a huge heart for Jesus and helping the downtrodden. However, he has is gotten up in age, and had a series of health issues, so he had to finally step down earlier this year. Tapestry (as they are an official 501-C) tried to get the space earlier when we informed them of the change, but were denied, however God came through right one time. :D Has it been a bit of an adjustment? Sure, as I have been standing outside on a street corner for over 6 years. However, I keep reminding myself of how warm it is going to be when winter comes and I don’t have to rock 3 pairs of pants, 2 socks, 4 shirts, a jacket, gloves and hat in order to feed the people and share the love of Jesus.

What do I think about it? I think it is ridiculous (just as I did when FL tried to pull this mess)! I have seen the city over the past 6 years try to get rid of the homeless (well poor people in general) by just trying to move them out instead of offering actual solutions. We have a homeless problem .. because we have a house problem .. we have an outreach problem both on the organization level and resource level … i.e. organizations end up fighting for the same people, organizations end up being corrupt, resources that will actually help people long-term are limited or non-existent. Do I have all the answers? I do not, but I have always said we need to stop fighting against one another, and start working together. I know that I am not alone in my efforts and know other individuals have banded together, outside of the traditional 501-C mold in order to impart real personal change/influence with the individuals living this lifestyle day in and day out. Because newsflash, there are some people out there who will ALWAYS be homeless, they live outside BY CHOICE and even a blizzard won’t bring them inside (I have seen it, and yes they were in their “right mind”).

I extend a personal invite to anyone who would like to come help out any maybe doesn’t have a place to go. We have a lovely group of folks, count varies from week to week, so just hit me up and I will be more than happy to give you the specific details.

It is easy to look around and see how the world is turning away from true love (God), but we must not lose hope. Seriously, we must not. As I keep reminding myself, since I am living right now, it was chosen by God for me to be alive during this time, and thus I have my Father’s business to carry out. This applies to you as well. The darker it gets, the more we as believers need to shine, so that we are examples of the genuine and pure love found only when you come face to face the Creator (God), Savior (Jesus), and Guide (Holy Spirit) of this world!

Dear Father God,
Personally I thank you for putting homeless outreach in my heart. I know without a doubt it came from You because I am not the best at sticking with anything, and this is something that enters my thoughts on the daily. The idea that there is someone out there that feels unworthy and unloved jars me (as I know what it feels like to have such untrue things go through your mind), and if I can change that thought for someone by showing YOUR love to them, then that is a win for You, a win for the kingdom. Strengthen us during this time, as we look about a see a world we don’t recognize. People can’t help people? What a shame that is! However, regardless of what man may say, You are God, and in You we will find our commission and way. Protect Your children as they follow your commands, solidify their faith so they have the courage and ability to stand, may their trust be in You.
In Jesus name, Amen. 

The Disclaimer Declaration

It has been a while since I have written anything.

Truth be told I haven’t wanted to. It isn’t so much that I haven’t felt that I should, but more so the human side of not wanting to .. not feeling that I am worthy to write really. After-all I have so many lessons still to learn myself, so what right do I have to act as if I know anything to impart any sort of wisdom or enlightenment on anyone else? Well that is what some less than helpful voice speaks between my ears sometimes at-least, and I reckon the absence of words on this page shows that I have listened.

The Holy Spirit though reminded me why I started writing in the first place though. It’s been well over a decade now, and I would pen a few words on something I had been recently taught, and send it out to my friends via email, post them on Livejournal , or on ChristianForum. I started writing when I “rededicated” my life (something I have come to learn as believers we should do on the daily). It didn’t matter to me if anyone commented, or even read it, it was enough to know that I MAY on some off-chance help someone else, even if in the smallest way as I knew even back then this life wasn’t easy. It was a way to keep myself in check, as if I was always (even if weekly) coming face to face with a lesson, I couldn’t sweep it under the rug. It had to be acknowledged, even if it was something akin to a pig covered in mud.

So to anyone reading this I would just like to put a disclaimer out there, that I am not perfect – except when looked at through the eyes of the Father, thanks to Jesus’s sacrifice, I will always be a person who falls short, yet I will always urge people to do better, to be better, than I may be myself, and know that I do not count myself higher than anyone else. Truth be told most days I am just happy that one day I will be in heaven and I won’t have the option to choose wrong anymore. However, does any of that (should have of that) stop me from writing? No. Just as Peter denied Jesus 3 times (after being with Him for quite some time), Saul/Paul persecuted Christians (and it took blindness to turn him around), and Mary Magdalene had an alternative beginning (do you know there is actual debate on if she had mental issues or if she actually was promiscuous), each went on to do great things for the kingdom of God. So, if there was never ending hope for them, there is never ending hope for me, and thus that same hope is extended to you.

So I conclude with this (although rest assured there will be more written about this in the future), we live in an age where everything is topsy turvy. Where it seems more acceptable to worship a tree, than to say a man came and died for your sins so you can be reconciled to the Creator of this word. I encourage you as a believer, to be strong. That if anyone tells you that you are too young, or too old, have too little knowledge because you didn’t go to school, that you can’t speak clearly, don’t dress right, so thus “you cannot speak about God and tell of the great things He has, can, and will do”, give them a good “God bless you” and continue to go about Your Father’s business (even if it is a little voice inside your head).

Dear God,
We thank you Father that we did not have to take the weight of our sins upon ourselves. Who of us could handle that load? I know I could not, if by OT standards would there even be enough time or animals to sacrifice for all that I have done? I dare not think of it, as I do not have to because we as believers have a hope and trust in Jesus. He was obedient in life and in death, knowing why He was here, and what was to be done, because of not only His love for You, but His love for Your creation. Because He bore our sins, those of us who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior, can call you Abba Father, we can commune with You, we get the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have hope eternal. Help us to grow in You. Strengthen us for the times ahead. Let us not get distracted by out shortcomings, but turn our weakness in to strength. Praise be to You Father, may Your grace abound.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.