Even So, Come Lord Jesus
Today marks the beginning of the Advent season in the Western Church calendar. If you’re like me and grew up in a contemporary Protestant church that didn’t celebrate traditional Christian holidays apart from Christmas and Easter, you might need a definition of Advent. According to Dennis Bratcher:
“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.”
I grew up with a family tradition that is common in many families-the Advent calendar. Even though my family did not celebrate the Advent season in a religious sense, every year my sister and I would eagerly await the moment that we could take a new piece of chocolate from the Advent calendar. To me, “Advent” meant an exciting treat and a special moment to share with family each day before Christmas.
Now, as an adult, I want to recapture that childhood feeling of excited anticipation and direct it toward the One who is the true reason for the Advent season. Just as I couldn’t wait to see which shape of chocolate was waiting to be discovered as a child, I now long for each day’s revelation of how Jesus will work anew in my life. I look forward to the finale of the Church’s Advent season as our King returns to reign in the flesh.
As we wait for the excitement of celebrating our Lord’s birth, let us also join with the Apostle John in anticipating His return. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
Did you celebrate Advent as a child? How will you remind yourself of the true reason for the Christmas season this year?
