“Advent” is derived from the Latin adventus, or “coming.” This season in the church year orients us to our future hope in Christ by remembering God’s saving work in Jesus. As we reflect together upon the “first coming” of Jesus at Christmas, we are also considering how we should pray, live, and worship to make our corners of the world ready for his return. We are co-laboring with God to make God’s reign known in all its fullness.
Over the past few years, my personal devotional time in Advent has turned to the carols. I am struck by the sheer number and variety of them. They are rich in both content and theology, poetically crafted to offer deep insight with more vividness than entire sermons can deliver. I think every one of us has a favorite carol, and wrapped around each song are precious personal memories. It’s a wonderful time of year for church music! My favorite is “O Holy Night.”
Luke tells us that years after his birth, Jesus announced his mission to his hometown of Nazareth by reading a passage from the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isaiah 61:1-2)
Jesus lived his life interested not only in the spiritual redemption of people, but concerned that a passion for justice would fuel the lives and actions of those who followed him. The renowned author and preacher Tony Campolo puts it this way: “Love on a macro-scale is called Justice. How can you tell someone you love them if you will not stand up for them when society treats them unjustly?”
He’s right. The holy night we anticipate this month delivered a Savior who lived a life devoted to God and in service of others. When Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important, he quickly responded with Deuteronomy 6:5: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” He quickly followed with Leviticus 19:18: “And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
In this Advent season, I invite you to live the sacrificial life to which Jesus calls all who follow him. Carve time out of your busy holiday schedule to spend reading the Bible, praying, singing, and working for God and others. It is remarkable how your new year in Christ may be transformed when you dedicate time and focus to the good news of salvation that changed the lives of shepherds and kings alike: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
Wishing you blessings this Advent season,