Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:1 ESV)
Advent is from the Latin, “Adventus” which means “coming.” Advent’s importance within Christian tradition lies in the fact that Christ followers prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. It is during this time that we remember how Israel longed for a Messiah and our longing for salvation. During Advent, we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem because there was no room at the inn. Moreover, we look forward to the second coming of Christ as king.
Advent is so important today. Now more than ever; especially in a world where blitz sales and over-consumption all but erase the person of Jesus and the point of Christmas. Just think about the last time you thought about Jesus during Christmas? Just think about the last time you stopped to understand why Jesus had to take the form of a human being and intervene here on earth although he shared eternal communion with God, the Father? Just think about the last time you thought about the afflictions of your sins in your life and thought about how much Jesus needed to save you from your misery.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t see yourself as the villian to your life. It doesn’t even matter whether or not you believe your sins are even that bad in comparison to nightly news and the sins of others. What matters is that when you watch the nightly news, you know something is deeply wrong with the world you and I are living in and the whole world is in need for the savior to come and redeem it.
The ancient prophets saw this and eagerly found themselves longing for Jesus. It is vital that we do the same here in the 21st century. Our savior has come and let us celebrate that as we wait for His second coming this season. Let us make our lives about our Savior’s birth and purpose here in this world.
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