By Barnabas Piper
When the Advent season begins, most of us have our attention firmly, and rightly, fixed on Christmas. It is the season of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus after all. But Advent is no mere ritual of anticipation for the celebration of an event that took place two thousand years ago. Yes we remember the birth of Christ, but we actively live in a season of anticipation and preparation for the second coming of Jesus, and Advent turns our attention to that.
During Advent we remember the physical incarnation of our Lord as a baby. In anticipating the second coming we look forward to the physical return of Jesus, bringing with Him His final established kingdom where He will rule for all time.
During Advent we remember the Light of the World being born. In anticipating the second coming we look forward to the day when the sun shall be no more for the presence of Jesus will be our sun (Isaiah 60:19).
During Advent we remember the lowliness of Jesus’s birth. In anticipating the second coming we look forward to the power and glory of His return when He will descend with a shout (1Thessalonians 4:16).
During Advent we remember so many faithful saints, key characters in the birth and life of Jesus, all of whom have since died. In anticipating the second coming we remember that when Jesus returns “the dead in Christ shall rise,” and He will resurrect the dead for glory or for judgment.
During Advent we remember all the Old Testament promises and prophecies that were fulfilled in Christ. In anticipating the second coming we rest in the certainty of Scripture’s promises about Jesus: “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
During Advent we remember that the people of God waited for hundreds of years for their Messiah as they clung to faith. In anticipating the second coming we remember the words of Jesus, “Look, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:12). He is coming on time, precisely according to His plan.
So Advent is not merely about anticipating and preparing for Christmas, a celebration of the past. Advent is anticipating and preparing for what Christmas ultimately promises—an eternal kingship by our Lord Jesus in which there will be no more sorrow, tears, pain, sin, or evil. He will make all things new, and those who believe in Him will reign with Him forever in perfect peace. This we know and this we eagerly await because “He who testifies about these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
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