All About Advent from Pastor Brones

Posted on: 10-Dec-2011


The Meaning of "Advent"

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.
In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s breaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption," it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself."

The Spirit of Advent

Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!
It is that hope, however faint at times, and that God, however distant He sometimes seems, which brings to the world the anticipation of a King who will rule with truth and justice and righteousness over His people and in His creation. It is that hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world.
So, we celebrate with gladness the great promise of Advent, yet knowing that there is also a somber tone as the theme of threat is added to the theme of promise. This is reflected in some of the Scripture readings for Advent, in which there is a strong prophetic tone of accountability and judgment on sin. But this is also faithful to the role of the Coming King who comes to rule, judge and save the world.
Because of the dual themes of threat and promise (law and gospel), Advent is a time of preparation that is marked by prayer. While Lent is characterized by fasting and a spirit of penitence, Advent’s prayers are prayers of humble devotion and commitment, prayers of submission, prayers for deliverance, prayers from those walking in darkness who are awaiting and anticipating a great light (Isa 9)!
The spirit of Advent is expressed well in the parable of the bridesmaids who are anxiously awaiting the coming of the Bridegroom (Matt 25:1-13). There is profound joy at the Bridegroom’s expected coming. And yet a warning of the need for preparation echoes through the parable. But even then, the prayer of Advent is still:

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Please join me for our Wednesday Evening Advent worship as a time of preparation for the coming of our Lord.  This year our theme is “SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS, COME.”  We will be reflecting on the on the first eleven verses of Isaiah 40 to unpack our dearly loved Advent themes.  Each homily is based on Isaiah 40 and a hymn from the Lutheran Service Book:Advent 1 (Isaiah 40:1-2): “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” (LSB 347)                                                                      Advent 2 (Isaiah 40:3-5): “Prepare the royal Highway” (LSB 343)                                                                              Advent 3 (Isaiah 40:6-8): “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (LSB 357)                                                                          Advent 4 (Isaiah 40:9:): “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Might Gates” (LSB 340)

*Note that there is no church service on Advent 4 (Dec. 21) as we do not normally have an advent service the week of Christmas Eve.  However, we will be going Christmas caroling, and then will be enjoying Life Together in Disciples' Hall for hot cocoa, cookies, and hot apple cider. I will begin our caroling journey with a brief devotion based on Isaiah 40:1-9 and sing “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Might Gates.”


A blessed Advent and Merry Christmas to all of you,
Pastor Dana Allen Brones



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