The Advent season is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts, minds, and souls for the birth of Jesus, the King of Kings. Similar to Lent before Easter, Advent is a time of reflection and anticipation leading up to Christmas. Pastor Max Lucado emphasizes that Christmas and Easter are closely linked, with Christmas marking the birth of Jesus and Easter celebrating what He came to do. Despite the commercialization of Christmas, it is important to remember the true meaning of the holiday, which is the birth of the Savior.
The season of Advent focuses on four key aspects that remind believers about the significance of Christmas. These include the hope prophesied in the Old Testament, the peace brought by the Incarnation, the joy that the season brings, and the love experienced through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies about the Messiah, predicting details of His birth, life, and purpose. One of the strongest ties between the Old and New Testaments is the Exodus story, where the blood of a lamb was used for protection, foreshadowing the sacrifice of Jesus as the Lamb of God.
The Incarnation is central to the Christian faith, as it represents the moment when the Creator of the Universe took on human flesh and dwelled among us. This event sets Christianity apart from other religions, as it proclaims that Jesus is God incarnate. The Gospel of John describes the Incarnation as the Word of God becoming flesh, dwelling among humanity, and offering salvation. This unique belief in the divinity of Jesus forms the foundation of Christian doctrine and the reason for celebrating Christmas.
The Advent season is also a time of joy, as believers come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus through events like Christmas carol sing-alongs and religious concerts. Music plays a significant role in conveying the Christmas story, with songs like Handel’s “Messiah” capturing the biblical narrative of redemption. Despite the secularization of Christmas, the joyous spirit of the season transcends religious boundaries, bringing people together to commemorate the birth of Jesus.
The final aspect of Advent is love, symbolized by the fourth and last candle lit on Christmas Eve. This candle represents Jesus as the culmination of hope, peace, joy, and love. The story of Jesus’s birth in a humble setting in Bethlehem underscores the message of God’s love for humanity. Through His birth and life, Jesus experienced the full range of human emotions and struggles, demonstrating that He can understand and empathize with all people. The message of Christmas is one of love, reminding believers of God’s unconditional love for all mankind.
In conclusion, the Advent season is a time of reflection, anticipation, and celebration leading up to Christmas. It serves as a reminder of the true meaning of the holiday, which is the birth of Jesus and the message of hope, peace, joy, and love that He brought to the world. Through prophecies, the Incarnation, joyous celebrations, and acts of love, believers come together to honor the birth of Jesus and the profound impact He had on humanity. As we light the final Advent candle on Christmas Eve, we are reminded that Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of hope, peace, joy, and love.
