Advent

Advent (Written by guest writer David Peterson)

The word Advent is derived from the Latin word meaning “arrival.” This season we call Advent comes from a tradition of watching, waiting, and anticipating the arrival of Jesus as a baby. Father God sent Jesus to save us from our own depravity. He was sent to be near us and to show us the way.

While He walked the earth, He fulfilled prophecies, preached the good news, and demonstrated God’s love through His teachings and His sacrifice. Make no mistake—Jesus came primarily to save humanity from sin and to offer eternal life. Scripture affirms this:

Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus also said:

Mark 10:45

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

God loves us so much that He sacrificed Jesus on our behalf.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the famous German Lutheran pastor, once said:

“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”

Bonhoeffer was pointing out that to truly grasp Advent, we must first see ourselves as struggling with our own faults and sins—yet always hoping for a better future fulfilled in Christ.

Charles Wesley penned the hymn “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” in 1744. In his first verse, Wesley captures both the longing and the purpose of Christ’s coming:

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,

bom to set Thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth Thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

Let us pray: Loving God, as we light the Advent candle, may Your hope fill our hearts and guide us in this season of waiting. Amen.