Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. Isn't it a joy to gather together in this sacred space, united in our love for Christ and our shared hunger for His Word? As we come together, let's take a moment to pause, to breathe, to center our hearts and minds on the divine truth that awaits us in the pages of Scripture.

We stand on the precipice of a season steeped in sacred tradition, a season that echoes with the ancient whispers of the prophets, the hopeful cries of the expectant, and the jubilant songs of the redeemed. Yes, dear friends, we are entering the season of Advent, a time that invites us to reflect, anticipate, and celebrate the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we embark on this season, let us turn to the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who once said, "A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes - and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent." Indeed, Advent is a season that allows us to slow down, to savor the richness of God's grace, and to prepare our hearts for the fullness of His love revealed in Christ.

Let's turn now to the Word of God, as recorded in Luke 1:26-45:

[Read passage]

Let us pray.

Almighty God, as we gather here today, we invite Your Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts and minds. As we reflect on the ancient origins of Advent, the biblical basis of this season, and its contemporary connection to our lives, may we be drawn closer to You. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Advent's Ancient Origins

As we consider the season of Advent, we find ourselves stepping back into the annals of history. The tradition of Advent, which means "coming" or "arrival," has been observed by Christians for centuries, dating back to the fourth and fifth centuries. It was a time set aside to prepare for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, to anticipate His second coming, and to remember the waiting of the Old Testament Israelites for the coming of the Messiah.

Spiritual preparation: This ancient tradition was not merely a countdown to Christmas, but a period of spiritual preparation. The early Christians understood that the joy of Christ's coming demanded a heart prepared through prayer, repentance, and anticipation. They recognized that the magnitude of the Incarnation, God becoming man, required more than a single day of celebration. It required a season of preparation, a season of waiting, a season of hope.

Our passage: This passage recounts the Annunciation, the moment when the angel Gabriel visited Mary to announce that she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, and this child would be Jesus, the Savior of the world. This event marks the beginning of the Advent story, the moment when the promise of the Messiah began to be fulfilled.

God’s favor: We see the angel Gabriel greeting Mary with the words, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." These words reveal a profound truth about the nature of God's favor. It is not earned or merited, but freely given by God out of His love and grace. Mary, a young woman from a humble background, was chosen by God to play a crucial role in His redemptive plan. This reminds us that God's favor is not dependent on our social status, our achievements, or our righteousness. It is a gift of His grace, given out of His love for us.

A promise unfolding: The angel then tells Mary, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High." Here, we see the promise of the Messiah, the long-awaited Savior, beginning to unfold. The name Jesus means "the Lord saves," signifying His mission to save His people from their sins. The title "Son of the Most High" affirms His divine nature, indicating that He is not merely a human king, but the divine Son of God. This promise points us to the heart of the Advent season - the anticipation of the coming Savior, who is both fully God and fully man.

Divine conception: The angel further explains to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." This miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit underscores the divine nature of Jesus. He is not merely a human child, but the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit. This truth deepens our understanding of the Incarnation, the mystery of God becoming man. It reminds us that in Jesus, heaven and earth, divinity and humanity, are uniquely and mysteriously united.

His word is good: The angel reveals to Mary that her relative Elizabeth is also expecting a child in her old age, and he declares, "For no word from God will ever fail." This statement affirms the faithfulness and power of God. It reminds us that God's promises are sure and certain, that He is able to do what He says He will do. This truth brings comfort and hope as we wait and anticipate the fulfillment of God's promises, just as Mary and Elizabeth did.

Advent's Biblical Basis

As we turn our attention to the biblical foundation of Advent, we find ourselves in the narrative of Luke 1:26-45 ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO