“If there is a longing in your heart this Advent for something that the world has not been able to satisfy, might not this longing be God’s Christmas gift preparing you to see Christ as consolation and redemption and to receive Him for who He really is?” – John Piper

Stores have started selling advent calendars since October with different offerings. The 24-tiny boxes filled with exciting things from scented candles, assorted teas, bath bombs, to small pieces of Legos.  All with the same purpose – to build up people’s excitement as they uncover the gifts one by one from the 1st of December, until the “best” piece unraveled usually on Christmas Eve.

Did you notice, however, that these advent calendars are filled with self-love surprises? What does “advent” really mean in the first place anyway? How can we put Advent rightfully into the context as Christ followers?

What is advent?

Advent comes from a Latin word adventus which literally means “coming”. It is a season in the church calendar that begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. It is a tradition for the church to look back and remember their longing and need for the coming of the Messiah that the Israelites experienced throughout the Old Testament. This is also called the first advent, in which it focuses on the incarnation of Christ.

Advent is also about looking forward to His second coming to His people. This second advent refers to the future event of Christ’s return to defeat Satan forever and consummate God’s kingdom. 

As Christians, we base our entire lives upon the first advent. We believe that God’s Son became flesh and dwelt among us, lived a sinless life, and died a death we deserve in order to ransom us from the rule of sin and rebellion. We also root our hope in the second advent of Jesus as we wait eagerly in confidence for the day He comes again to reign and rule forever (Romans 8:19; 8:23; Titus 2:13). 

During the season of Advent, we anticipate the joy of Jesus’ first coming and wait in eager expectation for the day he will come again.

Now that we have learnt what Advent is, how about putting it down practically?

The Seasons of Waiting

Years ago I started a practice of reading and meditating God’s words using a gospel-oriented Advent devotional as a guide. The Advent devotional begins on 1st of December, and the last reading is usually either on the 24th, or 25th of December. 

Life gets busier and goes at a faster pace as we enter the last month of the year, and I personally learn the practice has helped me to slow down and take more time to meditate on the true meaning of Christmas. I learnt that without taking a conscious action and commitment, it’d be very easy to get distracted by the world’s festivity, forgetting the one true and best thing about Christmas – God’s gift to the sinners: Jesus Christ the King and Savior born as a baby in manger.

I’ve read other associated practices could also include preparing an Advent wreath, putting up a Christmas tree, lighting up Advent candles, as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ and nestling ourselves within the story of redemption.

The point about this season is, we don’t wait for a “thing”. 

We wait for a PERSON, a personal God who, out of His love coming to us, became the same like us, so He can light the way to our salvation. 

Without Jesus humbled Himself and came to the world as a helpless baby, we would still be destined for eternal condemnation regardless how much worldly pleasures and things we get to enjoy while we live on earth.

Advent is a busy time, yet spending time in God’s Word is the essential thing to do. We might be too focused on getting things done, like getting prepared for the Christmas shopping, planning exciting activities to do with our COOL, family and friends. However, what transforms our life is not these fleeting things – it is God’s word, because the Word is God Himself (John 1:1). God’s words transform our life. We need to be intentional in spending our time during this busy season, and putting His presence above all our plans.

To conclude, let us approach Advent with a mind focused on Christ and on exalting Him rather than the tradition itself. The invitation awaits; not in a form of presents, paper calendar, or parties with families and friends. 

Take it to our heart and let it become alive in our life. Is there a room in your heart for Christ?