Adventually

Let’s agree. We are not good at waiting. We live in a world of microwaves and instant pots. But often times life equals waiting. And that’s what Advent is all about.

Advent comes from the Latin adventus which is translated from the Greek word parousia which means “coming” and is used to describe both Jesus’ arrival as a baby and His second coming. Like a child waiting to open packages under the Christmas tree, we wait on celebrating the birth of Jesus and anticipate His second coming.

The five candles of Advent tell us how to wait.

HOPE Candle
The first candle of Advent is called the HOPE candle. It reminds us of the over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament about the birth of Christ. We read the prophecies today knowing how they were fulfilled, but those who lived during the prophet’s time read them with the hope of who was to come. And then they waited - 700 years between the prophecy and the arrival. That’s the thing about hope. It requires a wait. If we are already where we want to be, if the journey is already completed, then what is there to hope for? Hope is more about the journey than the destination.

What are you hoping for today?

FAITH Candle
The second candle of Advent is the FAITH candle. It reminds us of the faith of Mary and Joseph to make the trip to Bethlehem while Mary was nine months pregnant and due any day. But God had to get Jesus to Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy (Micah 5:2). And He needed Joseph and Mary to take practical steps of faith. There are places God wants to take you and I as well.

What practical steps of faith are you taking?

‍JOY Candle
The third candle of Advent is the JOY candle. It reminds us of the joy the world felt at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:10). But not everyone received the birth announcement the shepherds did. After waiting 700 years, many missed the joy because Jesus arrived in a different package than what they were looking for. Joy can be found in the midst of any circumstances, even if they are not the ones we had hoped for.

Where is joy eluding you in your circumstances today?

‍PEACE Candle
The fourth candle of Advent is the PEACE candle. It reminds us of the angel's message of “peace on earth” (Luke 2:14). But the arrival of Jesus on earth didn’t bring an end to conflict. Sometime after the birth of Jesus His family had to flee to Egypt to save His life from Herod (Matthew 2:13-18). Peace doesn’t mean an absence of conflict. That wasn’t the message of “peace on earth.” Rather, peace means the presence of someone. Namely, Jesus. That’s the message of Christmas!

Where do you need the peace (presence) of God today?

‍CHRIST Candle
The final candle of Advent is the CHRIST candle. It is lit on Christmas Eve to remind us that hope, faith, joy, and peace adventually arrive! Well worth the wait!

Ryan Smallwood

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