The Advent Of Christ Series

I have entitled our message this morning “The Advent of Christ.” This coming Wednesday evening we will be decorating the Christmas tree in preparation for the Christmas season. In many churches across America, decorating the sanctuary, which is sometimes called “Hanging the Greens,” is the kick-off to the Advent season. So, what is Advent? Well, I will answer this question soon enough; but before I do, I wish to point out that the reason why we decorate for Christmas, and celebrate this special holiday is because of the birth of Jesus Christ. The Nativity story brings us the good news that our Savior has indeed been born into the world to save us from our sins.

In Luke 2:10-11, we read how an angel appeared to some shepherds in the fields, and said to them, “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” In Luke 2:16, we read how the shepherds “came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger,” and verse 21 tells us that “when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” Jesus is the Savior and Messiah who was announced by the angels in the Nativity.

Long before Jesus’ birthday was announced, His coming was foretold by prophets of old. Advent commemorates the foretelling of Jesus’ birth and life found in the many Messianic prophecies revealed in Scripture. Advent is a celebration of hope concerning the arrival of salvation from our sins found in Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11, 13-14, states, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men . . . looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people.” Though this text is a reference to Christ’s Second Advent, it gives us an idea of the eager expectation which surrounds His appearing.

Advent is a celebration of hope concerning the arrival of our Lord Jesus. We are going to celebrate Advent this morning at BLANK Church by reviewing some of the prophecies about the Messiah, and by relating these prophecies through the symbols of Advent – which are the wreath and candles. This is not a typical sermon; but rather, it will be a time of Scripture reading, meditation, reflection and worship. Let’s begin by coming to an understanding of the definition of Advent.

The Meaning of Advent

In Malachi chapter 3, verse 2a, we read this: “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?” Today marks the beginning of the season of Advent. The word “advent” means, “coming” or “arrival.” It is a countdown of anticipation in which we celebrate Christ’s first coming, in which He was born into this world as our Lord and Savior just over two thousand years ago. Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, anticipation, and longing. It is the cry of those who have experienced injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and has brought about deliverance! It is that hope which brings to the world the anticipation of a King who will rule in truth, justice, and righteousness over His people and His creation. It is that hope that anticipates the reign of the Anointed One – the Messiah – who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world (Dennis Bratcher).

Malachi 3:1, proclaims, “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, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” In Jeremiah 33:14-15 we read, “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah: In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.”

Isaiah 11:1-4a, says, “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.” As Bill and Gloria Gaither proclaimed in one of their gospel songs, “The King Is Coming!” and we celebrate His coming this Advent and Christmas season.