The Origins of Advent

This is the first Sunday of the Advent season, which marks the beginning of the new Church year. Happy New Year! Advent is an individual, ecclesiastical, and national liturgy, but as is true of all liturgy or form, it can point to a true or a false declaration. There is much in the national liturgy that points away from the advent of Christ. Is this a season which simply culminates in the Christian equivalent of “Independence day”; another paid holiday; another day off; another day or season of self-indulgence, or should we see the annual celebration of Advent as much more? This is the season that marks the days leading up to the moment in history when God became a man, celebrating the greatest gift ever given.

A Sense of History and a Sense of Destiny

We must know where we have come from if we’re to have any hope of knowing where we’re going. This is why our doctrine of origins is so vitally important. I’m not simply speaking of the origins of the Christmas holiday, but of what lies behind it. So, what is the origin of the advent of Jesus Christ, and how important is the advent?

The Advent Story is the Most Ancient Story

It’s not simply an isolated story alongside many other stories, it’s the central story around which all else revolves. To miss it, is to miss everything. It’s a story that starts before human history began, since Christ was “the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4). “Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM’ ” (John 8:58). It’s a story that embraces all of human history, for we were “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.” Human history is the story of redemption. Moreover, it’s a story that is still being told. This is the good news—the Gospel—God delivering on His promise. To understand this story is to understand where we came from, where we have been, where we are, and where we are going.

Pastor Booth, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Nacogdoches, TX

Object of Love

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ―John 3:16

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” ―1 John 4:9-11

Prayer

O Lord, as we enter a new Church year help us to refocus our attention on Your greatest gift to us, Your Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ. Establish in us an awareness of His presence and His importance for our whole life. May we come to think of our own lives in terms of His life and sacrifice for us. Remind us that He came to save us from our sins, to reconcile us to You, and transform us into His image. AMEN.


Advent Action
Give an unexpected gift to someone this advent season (you don’t have to wait for Christmas Day). The gift doesn’t have to be expensive (it can be homemade); but your gift should be thoughtful. Giving, in imitation of God, is an act of love.