Advent, the Coming of Christ
The First Sunday of Advent
This is the first Sunday of Advent. The word Advent means the coming, or the arrival of something. Today we are celebrating and anticipating the Advent of Christ, the coming or arrival of Christ. And so this season is a time when we prepare for the Christ to come. But as you may realize, when we talk about the coming of Christ, we speak about different times when Christ arrives, and the various Bible readings for this season talk about the coming of Christ in about eight different ways.
Of course we are getting ready for Christmas, so there is the coming of Christ at Christmas. We remember that he was born in Bethlehem. But that means that Christ, who is eternal God almighty, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, came to this earth. He came as a human being in order to die on the cross so that he could forgive the sins of humans. At the same time, the annual celebration of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem tells us that Christ is also born in our towns, in our homes, in our church, in our lives. The event in Bethlehem is repeated in a special, wonderful way. We feel that Christ is born again on Christmas Eve. All the Christmas Carols bring that event of 2000 years ago into our present time. And so our Christmas decorations prepare us for the present day coming of Christ, not that coming of 2000 years ago.
Then we realize the true preparation of Christmas is the preparation of our hearts, as we prepare a place for Christ to come into our hearts. This Advent happens when we believe in Jesus as our personal Savior. At that time Christ comes into our hearts. Faith is the realization that Jesus has come. This should cause a change in our lives. John the Baptist called it repentance. Others have called it Christian living. Rather than Christmas trees and wreaths and other ornaments, we see the ornaments of love, charity, joy, peace, hope, and cheerfulness. That looks a lot like the so-called Christmas-spirit. But it is faith. It is the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The Holy Spirit tells us the Gospel that Christ has forgiven our sin and freed us to be Children of God.
The Bible readings during Advent are not just about Christmas. Todayfs Gospel reading is about Jesus riding the donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He is coming into the city. This reminds us that the Baby born in Bethlehem had a mission in this world. At Jerusalem he will die on the cross. The reminder of his suffering and death puts a somber note into this festive time of year. But it makes us remember our salvation. And then, on the third day Jesus will arise again from the dead. This Easter joy adds even more, deeper joy to Christmas, because we know that Jesus will succeed in his salvation mission.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem as the Messiah, as the King of Israel. We join in the cheers of the crowd that day: Hosanna, Long live the King, Banzai! But we are also reminded that Jesus will come again on the last day of this earth as King. This is his Second Coming, his Second Advent. He first came when he was born in Bethlehem and stayed until his ascension, 40 days after his resurrection. Many of the Advent hymns have these themes. He came and he will come again.
The Old Testament readings during Advent are prophesies. They tell about the coming of the Lord. Prophesies are hard to understand because they often have more than one meaning. The prophesies of Jeremiah and Isaiah, for example, were often fulfilled in history 400 years before Jesus was born. Then, they were fulfilled again in history when Jesus was born and lived and died and rose again. Then again in the life of the church and the life of the believers who know that Christ has come into their lives. Christ comes with help and strength and guidance, and with justice and peace and righteousness. And these same prophesies will be fulfilled again at the end of time. Prophesies are hard to understand, but the beautiful words give us hope and endurance as we await the coming of Christ.
Jesus comes to us in our worship. He promised his disciples, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." [Mt.18:20.] And so we know that Christ has come to us in our worship today.
Finally, I want to mention just one more. Christ comes to us in a special way in the Lordfs Supper. gThis is my body. This is my blood,h he said. When he comes in the blood that forgave our sin on the cross, he forgives our sins once again. This is a huge joy and comfort and hope and strength to us Christians.
Christ came to us. Christ comes to us today. Christ will come again. This is why there are four Sundays in Advent. There is too much Gospel to grasp in just one day.
May you have a blessed Advent. May it be blessed because Christ has come to your hearts.
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church