Disclaimer: For the history of Advent, its evolution, and current role in communities of faith, click here.
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Dietrich Bonhoeffer 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.”
The current concept of “advent” spotlights the coming of Christ against the backdrop of a dark, fallen world. For four weeks, people of faith lean into the Word of God with anticipation for the birth of Christ. There were 400 years between the book of Malachi and the New Testament, and the people of God were without a fresh revelation for the One walked with Adam and Eve, in the beginning, was silent. Can you imagine the painstaking, deafening pangs of muteness in the three atriums of the temple? O, how the children of Judah were in desperate need of the Redeemer’s song!
The chosen ones of Israel needed a Savior and so do we!
This year has been overwhelming with grief and darkness as globally we deal with a plague the size of biblical proportions. During the Thanksgiving weekend, I felt the presence of joy and love while simultaneously feeling acute sadness for those who I know have suffered an insurmountable loss this year. This morning, I decided to take my attention to Christ and the cross, to God and the glimpses of glory He’s given us in His Word. I’ve never done a formal study of Advent, but if ever there were a moment in time that could hold varying emotions all at once, it’s this one.
I’m inviting you to join me in the first To Be Praised Advent Reading Plan! While reading and praying through scripture for Advent, we can share in anticipation of Jesus, Immanuel – God with us, who was born into this world to Redeem us, too!
If you’re subscribed to our email list, you’ll receive the dates and scriptures for each day from December 1st to December 25th. Although we do not know for sure that Christ was born on Christmas, Advent wraps up on Christmas Day, in the US, in light of The first official mention of December 25th as a holiday honoring Jesus’ birthday that appears in an early Roman calendar from 336 A.D. So let’s get our hearts and minds prepared for 25 days in the Word, ready to relive the first coming of Christ.