Come, Lord Jesus

Advent begins this Sunday, December 2nd.  You may have never celebrated Advent, or this could be a half century of observing it for you.  Either way we wanted to review some foundational concepts to the observance of Advent.  In Robert Webber’s chapter on Advent in his book "Ancient-Future Time" he presents these points:

• Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the Messiah.
• The Messiah’s coming is understood in three different senses: (1) His coming to earth in Bethlehem, (2) His second-coming at the consummation of God’s purposes and (3) His coming in the present moment into my life.
• The coming of Messiah to me in this moment is surrounded by my repentance.
• From the Old Testament, Isaiah could be considered the prophet of Advent because in his life and prophetic word he represented the hope of Advent.
• In the New Testament, John the Baptist and Mary, Jesus'd mother, reveal Advent spirituality: the former by his single-minded mission and self-giving love, the latter by her willingness to yield her life to God’s will.
• The first candle of Advent can be called “promise”.

Here’s how Webber summarizes the emphasis and challenge of Advent:

Emphasis. Readiness for the coming of Christ at the end of history and at Bethlehem (the four Sundays before Christmas day).

Spiritual Challenge. Repent and be ready for the second coming of Christ.  Allow all eager longing for the coming of Messiah to be birthed in your heart.

The Prayer for the first Advent Sunday from the Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, give all of us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with the and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and for ever. Amen.