By He Reads Truth
Think about your childhood heroes. Do you ever wonder what life was really like for them? It can be easy to consider those we admire from generations past as larger than life figures, immune to the struggles of living in this not-yet-fully-restored world. But, like us, they too experienced longings—for painful relationships to be repaired, for ailing bodies to be healed, for deeply held hopes to become reality, for mounds of uncertainty to be overcome with surety. Like us, they likely found themselves limping toward Christmas Day, an ache for restoration embedded in their hearts.
We’ve been thinking about that reality as we prepare for this year’s Advent, about how each generation is united to those before and after by a bones-deep desire for everything to be made right. We see it throughout the Old Testament as God’s people waited for the Messiah. We hear its echo in the New Testament as the early Church waited for Christ’s return. And we feel it still today as we remember the birth of our Savior and look forward to His promised return.
This is what the season of Advent is about: anticipating the birth of the One who meets every need. Jesus is the man from heaven who came to reconcile us to God. He is the bread of life who satisfies our deepest hunger. He is the King of the nations who brings the hope of heaven to the whole world. He is Immanuel, God with us, the only one worthy of our worship.
We are thrilled that you’re joining us for this Advent season. Together we will celebrate the season with food and song. We will reflect and anticipate. We will read the ancient prophecies of the Savior and rejoice in their fulfillment. And we will look with hope to the promised day when every nation and generation will know full and lasting peace in the presence of Jesus.
O come, let us adore Him! For He alone is worthy—Christ the Lord.
One thought on "The First Sunday of Advent"
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Matthew Wilging says:
Such a good reminder! I think we all are feeling run-down, burnt-out, on our last legs, and all-together hopeless during this time of year – I know I sure do. We worship a Savior who empathisez with all our weaknesses and struggles that come in this life, because Jesus experienced personally all these things and so much more. I am so thankful for a personal relationship with the God of the universe who cares so much for me, individually, that He would send His Son – an eternal relationship set before the foundations of the earth – to become as His beloved creation and die on my behalf. Thank you, precious Jesus, for your sacrifice. As we enter into this Advent season, may our thoughts, attitudes, and actions be ever-present on who this season is about.
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