Expecting!
Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. Although all Christian churches don’t acknowledge this season, many churches see it as an important part of their calendar year:
Definition of Advent1: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting
2a: the coming of Christ at the Incarnation (see INCARNATION sense 3b(1)
)b: SECOND COMING3 (Merriam Webster!
The season of Advent is not only a time of remembering the the Christ Child came, but a reminder that He is coming again! Some churches use the Advent candle to symbolize four basic things, hope, faith, joy, and peace. Scriptural references reflect these expectations. We who are in Christ know that we possess hope, faith, joy, and peace because they are by-products of His love.
This week among the scriptures reflecting hope we see the hope of the coming Messiah reflected in Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV)
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lordof hosts will perform this.
The world awaited this event, and in the fulness of time it came to be. So too, will it be that He will come again:
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (KJV)
A blessed hope indeed!
Maria