As today marks the first day in December, I am reminded of one of my favorite family traditions of the season-- the Advent calendar. From December 1 until December 25 we open a small gift each day. If you've grown up in the church, you may recognize the tradition of Advent. Different churches and denominations celebrate differently, but the idea is the same. So what does this season of Advent really mean?
Advent literally means "coming" or "arrival." It is in this season that we celebrate the first coming of Jesus to earth, and likewise anticipate the second coming prophesied in the Bible. The second coming is mentioned on multiple occasions in the Bible, and while there are many questions concerning this topic, a few things are clear. Firstly, that we will not know when the end will be. While many people have tried to guess based on the signs that are presented through scripture, the Bible clearly states that no man will know the day or hour. More importantly, it is also made very clear that while we don't know when He is coming back, we should be ready and living expectantly as if it could be any minute.
Living an expectant lifestyle is really living radically. Think about it this way: if you knew what time your parents were coming back from their vacation, you'd make sure the house was all cleaned up from that party you threw, making it look like nothing ever happened. But if you didn't know, they might catch you in the act. A genuine faith is sticking to your values all the time, not just when someone is looking. Walk out your journey with a genuine heart fixated on Him and remember to live expectantly this month as we celebrate His first coming.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (ESV)
Mark 13:32-37 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (ESV)
Matthew 24:42-44 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (ESV)
Luke 21:34-36 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” (NLT)
Advent literally means "coming" or "arrival." It is in this season that we celebrate the first coming of Jesus to earth, and likewise anticipate the second coming prophesied in the Bible. The second coming is mentioned on multiple occasions in the Bible, and while there are many questions concerning this topic, a few things are clear. Firstly, that we will not know when the end will be. While many people have tried to guess based on the signs that are presented through scripture, the Bible clearly states that no man will know the day or hour. More importantly, it is also made very clear that while we don't know when He is coming back, we should be ready and living expectantly as if it could be any minute.
Living an expectant lifestyle is really living radically. Think about it this way: if you knew what time your parents were coming back from their vacation, you'd make sure the house was all cleaned up from that party you threw, making it look like nothing ever happened. But if you didn't know, they might catch you in the act. A genuine faith is sticking to your values all the time, not just when someone is looking. Walk out your journey with a genuine heart fixated on Him and remember to live expectantly this month as we celebrate His first coming.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (ESV)
Mark 13:32-37 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (ESV)
Matthew 24:42-44 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (ESV)
Luke 21:34-36 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” (NLT)
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