It is the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting, the coming of Christ at the Incarnation. It is the coming into being, in simple terms … it is God coming among us in human form. It is a Christian tradition it has existed within the world wide Christian church for centuries. It is nearly as old as the church itself, with the earliest mentions of the tradition happening as early as 380 AD at the Council of Saragossa*. (*a city in northern Spain, capital of Aragon, situated on the Ebro River)  Advent brings with it a time of preparation, part of that being to understand the four messages it brings with it. Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Another important part is preparing our Hearts, Mind and Homes to receive Christ’s birth in the world as it is today. During these weeks ahead we can turn to these family members from the family of God of which we have been adopted into. 

John the Baptist, Isaiah the prophet, and Mary the expectant mother. Each will speak to us about the matters of the heart, their longings and the fulfillment and hope this birth brings to the world. One of the greatest values of the Advent Season is that it is  great for reminding us what the season is really about. An often overlooked fact is about John The Baptist and his importance in the Advent story. How important is The Baptist?  There is a passage that illustrates God’s master plan in action as God selected John to be His special ambassador to proclaim His own coming. Isaiah 40:3-5:

3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Matthew also points to these verses. The Baptist preached repentance… preparing the way for Christ’s coming… Matthew 3:5-6- Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Of course there is Mary who will birth the Christ Child.  

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 

We cannot pass over other stories of other people who were touched by God in the preparation for this wonderful coming and birth of our Lord. Zechariah and his encounter with the angel Gabriel and the news that God would bless he and Elizabeth with the birth of a son, their only child…we will come to know him as John the Baptist. It is written…Romans 8:28 NIV  28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

There are more but before I close this out…I suggest you read the First Chapter of Luke and make it a point to linger over these verses. 

Zechariah’s Prophecy, vv. 67-80

Mary’s Song of Praise…The Magnificat, vv. 46-55 

Santa won’t be the only one bringing gifts. The greatest gift of all is not under the tree.. Prepare the way…

   

Life is Good

jk