“No one knows the day or hour. The angels in heaven don’t know, and the Son himself doesn’t know. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man appears, things will be just as they were when Noah lived. People were eating, drinking, and getting married right up to the day that the flood came and Noah went into the big boat. They didn’t know anything was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man appears… So be on your guard! You don’t know when your Lord will come.” – Matthew 24:36-39, 42
My Thoughts:
Sunday, November 30th begins Advent. The celebration of the season of Advent (which begins on the 4th Sunday before Christmas day) dates back to the fourth century. Advent is also the start of the new church year. While our solar calendar is structured around the rhythms of nature and the seasons, the church calendar is organized around God and the rhythms of His activity in the world.
Advent, the first godly church season, has a double focus. The focus of Advent is first and foremost on the first coming of Christ, specifically Jesus’ incarnation and birth. And the second focus of Advent is on the fulfillment of the kingdom promises, specifically the second coming of Christ. Much like the Jews of Jesus’ day, we don’t know the day or the hour of Christ’s return. So we are to be filled with both a sense of joyful expectation and humble reverence as we prepare for that day.
Nativity with Manger by dashinvaine
You’ve probably noticed the repeated theme of Comings. Advent actually means “coming” in Latin. Thus, Advent is a time of anticipation, waiting, expectation, preparation, longing, and hope— in which we celebrate past and future comings. Christ has come. And Christ will come again.
While Lent (the time before Easter) is a time to remember our sins, repent, and it is characterized by fasting, Advent is a time to remember the grace given to us, rejoice, and it is characterized by prayer. It is only after we have awaited the coming Savior, Messiah and King and celebrated His birth during Advent that we can fully realize our sins and what Christ did for us on the Cross at His death during Holy Week. This is the journey the disciples took.
Churches long ago celebrated Advent in the seven (7) weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Eventually, Advent was reduced to the four (4) Sundays before Christmas Day. But at some point we lost the Advent season altogether. We lost it to Santa Claus and a secular Christmastide full of shopping, wrapping, and decorating.
It is my intention this year to reclaim and rediscover the Advent Season by writing a blog post each day of Advent that is full of Scripture, quotes, music, artwork, and prayers. And I hope you will join me for the journey to Bethlehem.
The Night Before Christmas By Sister St. Thomas
A more spiritual version of the famous Christmas poem
St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;
Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child;
The children were nestled, each snug in their beds,
The grown-ups wouldn’t bother, there’s no room they said;
When even the innkeeper sent them away,
Joseph was wondering, where they would stay;
He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,
Lets go there said Mary, it’s silent and still;
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go;
And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,
Our Savior was born on that first Christmas Day!
The Father was watching in heaven above,
He sent for His angels, His couriers of love;
More rapid than eagles God’s bright angels came;
Rejoicing and eager as each heard his name;
Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,
Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel;
Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,
Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;
The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,
And saw in the heavens an unearthly light;
The Angels assured them, they’d nothing to fear,
It’s Christmas they said, the Savior is here!
They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Till Mary invited them in to adore;
He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,
Never did the Shepherds see a baby so sweet!
He spoke not a word, but the shepherds all knew,
He was telling them secrets and blessing them too;
Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,
And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;
Mary heard them exclaim as they walked up the hill,
Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!
No Room at the Inn by Margaret Tarrant
Nativity by Philippe de Champaigne
