Thought of the Day - 2

"Jesus Christ became Incarnate for one purpose, to make a way back to God that man might stand before Him as he was created to do, the friend and lover of God Himself.”  

- Oswald Chambers

Verse of the Day - 1

Isaiah 7:10-16

"Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz,  “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.” 

Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right.  But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste."

What is Advent?

Advent is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in his first coming and the anticipation of the return of Christ in his second coming. The word “advent” means “coming” or “arrival.”  Because we are also looking forward to Christ’s second coming, Advent is much more than just observing an event that happened 2000 years ago.  It is celebrating a truth about God; that God is fulfilling a plan to reconcile all creation to Himself through Jesus Christ.  Advent is a time to draw personally, as a family and as a body of Christ into the deeper understanding of the incarnation.

Historically, Advent was thought to have started as a time of fasting by the early church. It was a time of penance between St. Martin’s Day (Martinmas) and Christmas day. The practice of fasting and penance isn’t common to our time, especially during the holiday season of overindulgence. Take note of this and let the Spirit convict you, as He will. Perhaps you will feel lead to eliminate things from your over active schedule, take a fast from TV or technology, to take a time of fasting personally from food or to reduce your budget of gifts and give the remainder to those in need.

It wasn’t until the 1600’s that the German Lutherans began a celebrative form of Advent with the addition of their own customs of wreaths and candles.  These traditions are still very much alive in liturgical congregations and homes.  However, all Christians can appreciate and find purpose in the practice of Advent.

Advent is a 25-day celebration that starts December 1^st and leads up to Christmas day.  Each night your family will light a candle to remind you that Jesus is light in a sin-darkened world.  It also reminds us that we are to reflect this light to others. “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,” Isaiah 42:6

As for the wreath and candles, three of the candles are blue or purple. They are this color because blue or purple is the color of royalty to welcome the coming of the King.  The first candle is called the “candle of hope” or to remember the prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The second candle is the “candle of the way,” as the light of Christ shows us the way out of darkness. The third candle is called the “candle of joy,” it indicates that the only lasting joy to be found in life on earth is through Christ. All other joy is fleeting and does not last. The fourth candle is the “candle of peace.” It reminds us that Jesus comes to bring peace to both the world and to people's hearts. The center candle lit on Christmas Eve and Day is white and called the “Christ candle.” It is white because Christ is our unblemished and sinless sacrifice. It is placed in the center of the advent wreath as a symbol that Christ is to be dwelling in the center of our hearts and lives.

The twenty-five days of Advent are a time of reflection, meditation, and celebration in the joy of what has been done through the Lord Jesus Christ.  Look to Him during this season, seek to know Him more and take deep joy in all He has done for you!

Why We Need Advent

As you have probably experienced already, Christmas is often distorted into a materialistic circus the very first day after Thanksgiving. It is almost as if we spend a day remembering to be thankful only to jump headlong into a whole month of seeking more and more.  It is so easy to overlook the “Christ” that made “Christmas” even possible. We forget that we give gifts only because we were given the greatest gift from God in the person of Jesus Christ, as he fulfilled the most heroic rescue mission the world has ever known. How easily we forget the amazing events that brought about the incarnation of the God-man Jesus?  How apathetically we treat the wonderful truths found in this season? 

The good news is that long ago a tradition was designed to help Christians prepare our selves for a whole-hearted celebration of the coming of Christ. 

It is the practice of Advent!

Advent is one of the only Christian traditions that is done both in the Church, corporately, and also in the home as a family.  Some churches may observe Advent in the lighting of a wreath with four or five candles each Sunday and with the reading of scripture or through a Jesse Tree. These are great ways for the Church to set aside the season of Christmas as different and unique, but many of you may not know you can continue this preparation and celebration in your homes throughout the rest of the week.  This book is meant to help you and your family, do just that.  It should be noted that this isn’t a craft or activity guide for preschoolers or school children. This is a guide for the whole family that each member of the family may see and savor Emmanuel, “God with us.” Activities, readings, lessons and worship are included in the daily plans, not as an end, to enjoy the holidays, but as a means of intentionally drawing yourself or your family closer to the manger throne of God. “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22)  More than anything, enjoy your time as a family and your opportunity to prepare your hearts for the arrival of the Lord Jesus in this time.