Advent: Hopeful Yearning

It's Advent.

According to Justin Holcomb writing in Christianity.com this season was not always closely linked with Christmas.

Advent has its roots as a period of 40 days of praying and fasting in anticipation of the baptism of new Christians on the feast of the Epiphany. By the 6th Century Roman Christians tied Advent to the second coming of Christ (when he comes to establish the Kingdom of God.)

But it wasn't until the Middle Ages that the connection between Advent and Christmas was solidly established, setting aside the four Sundays preceding Christmas, looking forward to the birth of Jesus.

Holcomb writes that Advent helps us consider that, in a spiritual sense, we are living in exile in the world, like modern-day refugees. Much like the Old Testament nation of Israel in Egypt waited for a savior to take them out of physical slavery.

The lyrics of one of the well known songs of the season tell the story:

O Come O Come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of Man appear
Rejoice Rejoice
O Israel
To Thee shall come Emmanuel

Holcomb concurs with the original intent of Advent - that it should be a season of fasting and prayer -recognizing the tension of living between the first and second coming of the Messiah.

But Advent is essentially a season of hope.

Holcomb quotes Karl Barth, "Unfulfilled and fulfilled promise are related to each other Faith knows for whom and for what it is waiting."

The hope of Advent, writes Dennis Bratcher,  is that all nature would one day be reconciled with the Creator, through the work of the Messiah.

Both Bratcher and Holcomb appreciate the reality and hope of the Messiah - having been born (on Christmas), being present in the world today, and coming at a future point in time.

Advent then, should be a season to embrace that we are broken people living in a broken world. (Brennan Manning was a master at understanding this dynamic. Agniezka Tennant's profile of Manning in Christianity Today points this out.)

During the remaining weeks of Advent, feel free to use any of the following meditation points to further focus on the season.

. In what ways are you experiencing the tension of living in a broken world?

. What might God be trying to tell you about that tension or brokenness?

. How can you live in a way that brings you and others closer to the Kingdom of God?

. What practical steps can you take today to know God better?

Feel free to share your thoughts by writing a comment.


Photo credit: www.churchreporter.org