Saturday, December 6, 2008

Advent

Advent

Those of us aware of the liturgical church calendar think of Advent as starting on the fourth Sunday before Christmas with the lighting of the first candle on the Advent wreath, and ending with the lighting of the Christ candle on Christmas Eve. We think of Advent as the great anticipation for the Holy Babe to be born in the manger. Hopefully we also think of the Christ of Easter who would die for our sins and conquer death so we may have eternal life.

More than not, we think of the anticipation of Christmas Day, not for the anticipation of salvation and eternal life, but for the gifts, both given and received, for the time with friends and family, and for the food. This is the way most live Advent.

Let us not get stuck in anticipating something that has already occurred. Jesus was born, died and arose from the dead 2,000 years ago. ADVENT IS MORE ABOUT ANTICIPATING THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS.

Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come.

10 comments:

jeleasure said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jeleasure said...

Sorry Hun,
I deleted my first message because of a careless misspelling.
Here is my comment, corrected;

It is true, most people look to advent as being a rememberance of the birth week of Christ. And, this is foolish because, noone can be exactly certain of what time of year, let a lone what week Jesus was born in.
My next blog will consider how Herod and the Wise men knew there was a "King" being born in Bethelehem. Oddly, it will have more to do with a supersticious belief of men, than the prophecy in Micah. Herod was first alerted by this 'superstion' and confirmed it with scripture.

Leon1234 said...

Great blog!

Gigi said...

A timely reminder Vicki! We need to anticipate the Greatest Gift ever given - Jesus!!

Vicki said...

Hi Jim,
Here I am concerned that you erased someone else's thoughts on my blog and see that you just erased your own. I find my emotions humorous.
Liturgy is a systematic method of remembering all the important points of the Bible. If one were to read the assigned verses, He/She/It would get through the whole Bible in 3 years. The emphasis, though meant to flow with history, does not necesarily coinside with history.
Christmas and Advent were placed at this time of year, as you know, to go along with the heathen festivities of the winter soltice.
Jesus was most likely born in the spring of the year.
However, whenever we celebrate Advent, we should be anticipating the return of Jesus, not just remembering His birth.
Thanks for letting me say all this to you, the sweetheart of my heart.

Vicki said...

Welcome, Leon,
It is always nice to have someone new leave a comment. Thank you. You are very considerate. I have read both of your blogs and find them interesting.

Vicki said...

Hi Gigi,
I know that your heart is with me in anticipation of the return of Jesus the Christ.
Today I discover a series of children books by a Cristian authour, Sherrie Walsh. Gigi the Princess is one. These stories are about Gigi. I thought you might be interested so you could get one for grands.

Barbara said...

Hi Vicki,

Thanks for the nice comment you left on my blogsite. I appreciate your comment about not forgetting Christ is to come. I think we can agree as Christians that His return is now our main focus, but also acknowledge God's plan throughout all history--He was, IS, and is to come!!!! Without the whole panorama, people might ignore or forget the big pictue that God has for us. As for my blogsite, it's a ministry for seekers so I have stayed simple so the everyday woman can read about Christian life and not be intimadated by the deeper aspects of Christianity. Have no fear, I am certainly anticipating the great day our Lord returns for us.

Dr. Russell Norman Murray said...

Good summary, Vicki.

Russ:)

Tamela's Place said...

Amen Vicki!

Great Grandfather Humes

Great Grandfather Humes
Great Grandfather, Charles Humes, started the family interest in trucks. He is in the center of the picture and Great Grandmother, Eva Humes, is to the left of him.