The season of Advent is a curious time of the year.  There is a dual purpose of this season.  On the one hand we contemplate, await, and envision Jesus’ second coming.  On the other hand we celebrate, anticipate, and remember the birth of Jesus.  The first part of Advent focuses on the coming of Christ as King and Judge, while the latter part looks to his coming in the incarnation.  The mood of the season is one of hope, anticipation, and preparedness.  (Lee A. Maxwell, The Altar Guild Manual pg. 18)

We are post resurrection people.  We are awaiting the second coming of Jesus.  The prophet Isaiah gives us a glimpse of the things that will happen at the second coming.  He gives us an image of what life will be like at that time:

Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.  He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”  The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.  They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.  (Isaiah 2:3-4 NIV)

As we move toward Christmas, there is a strong urging to rush past this season of preparation.  There is an urgency to get to the celebration.  We really want to hear the voice of Isaiah proclaiming:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)
 

We will hear that voice soon enough.  That voice brings us back to the Nativity.  It brings us back to the whole life of Christ.  At Christmas God shows us how much He loves us.  He lavishes His love upon us to point us toward life with Him forever.  We wait with a sense of preparedness.  The Lord prepares us throughout our lives to be with Him forever.

May the Lord prepare us this Advent.  May He prepare us not only to celebrate, anticipate, and remember the birth of Jesus.  May the Lord also prepare us to contemplate, await, and envision Jesus’ second coming.  May His rich blessings prepare us this Advent to be with Him throughout the coming year and for the rest of our lives!

Rev. Mark Wilkens