Advent is a tradition of many churches. It is not known when this tradition began. The Season of Advent is observed on the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. The term, “advent” is derived from the Latin word, “adventus”, meaning “coming”. Adventus itself is translated from the biblical Greek word “parousia” which primarily references the Second Coming of Christ. For many Christians, the Advent Season is a time in which we reflect upon both the first and second comings of our Lord. The advent focuses first on Bethlehem when baby Jesus was born in the stable and laid in the manager-no room in the inn. Advent also causes Christians to ponder the biblical truth that Jesus will come again to this earth. The time of this second coming is known only by God and shall usher in the culmination of this age as we know it.
The angels reassured the followers of Christ as He ascended from earth into heaven that “this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
There is a spirit of anticipation surrounding this time of year. We celebrate the joy of the nativity of Jesus and encourage a spirit of readiness for His second “in person” arrival. The angels reassured the followers of Christ as He ascended from earth into heaven that “this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11).
Advent calendars continue to be a family tradition in our home. The first known advent calendars were handmade and appeared in the 1850’s. Chocolate was added in the 1950’s - imagine taking one hundred years to add chocolate!! As a family, we get the ones with the little doors which can be opened one day at a time – with some type of chocolate inside! One year when a child, our son got so excited that he opened every door on the same day and ate all the chocolates!
May some of this “just can’t wait” spirit be ours this year as we remember His first arrival and anticipate His second arrival. Second advent might be sooner than we think!