Advent

This article that I came across on a blog that I follow really rang true and convicted my heart! I know I am not the only one who has these feelings so I wanted to share. For my family advent is a familiar word and practice that my family has made a tradition since I can remember. I have wonderful childhood memories of reading advent devotionals, lighting the advent wreath and singing christmas carols together the entire length of December. The excitement that this time of year brought for me and my sisters meant one thing, that christmas was very very close, with all the presents and baking and family get togethers. It was wonderful, but not until recently have I really come to know and appreciate just what this word and practice of advent really means to me. As we remember and celebrate Christ's first coming , and as we look forward to His return more then any time of year let us not lose sight of the true meaning of this time of year. Merry Christmas. Glory In The Highest and Peace To Those On Whom His Favor Rests. 

Are You Looking Forward to Christ's Return?

by Matt Kaufman on 12/10/2012 at 8:07 AM

Advent historically has long been a season when Christians not only looked back to the coming of Christ, but looked forward eagerly to His return. That, they knew, will be the best day of all — when all this world's suffering and evil ends, when all creation will reflect God's untainted glory, when even the best things that we've ever known in our lives will be replaced by things far, far better.

But is that how we feel today? Is that how you feel?

My pastor posed that question in a recent sermon. After all, he said, we've had it pretty easy. Few of us have suffered for the cause of Christ, or even been inconvenienced. Our lives are filled with conveniences and entertainment. So our attitude may be like that of a 13 year old who, after a sleepover, calls home asking to stay longer. (As my pastor put it, "Lord, please don't make me come home just yet; I'm having a great time here.") Some of us, he said, may even fear Christ's second coming; He's coming to put an end to the things that they love — namely, the world.

On one level it should be obvious to any Christian what's wrong with this attitude: It's the kind of attachment to the fallen world that Scripture so often warns against (e.g., James 4:4). But it occurs to me that there's also a subtler way we can lapse into a kind of idolatry. That's when we take earthly things which God has told us are good and place them in competition with the better things He has in store for us.

Take marriage. Have you ever found yourself hoping — even praying — that the Lord won't return until you get married? Until you have children? Have you ever caught yourself saying to God something like, "Lord, I know we're supposed to want You to come soon — but You did tell us that these other things are blessings, and You should let me experience them before You come back." Maybe, at some point, you find yourself going a step further. "And while we're at it, Lord, there are some other things I'd really like to experience too before You get here. I'd like to enjoy my youth and my energy while I have them. Maybe You can come back later once I'm old and on the downward slope, after I've had a nice, full life."

Does any of this sound familiar?