The Advent
Pastor Leslie Chua
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.””
The Christmas season is a time when Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a season of joy. There are many good reasons for rejoicing and celebrating. Topping the list are the promises of salvation and eternal life to as many as would receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
During this season, churches hold special services and sing Christmas carols.
Many churches also take the opportunity to spread the good news of salvation. Some churches organise church-wide evangelistic meetings. Others reach out to unbelievers through their small groups. They invite friends to their homes for a time of food, fun, testimony, and sharing the gospel.
All these are good and meaningful activities. But it means that Christians are busy with church activities during the Christmas season.
Historically, churches celebrate the Christmas season differently. They observed Advent. Some modern churches continue with this practice.
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The observance of the Advent involves looking back with wonder at the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus while looking expectantly to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of human history.
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Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus. It means “appearing” or “arrival.” The corresponding Greek word is parousia, which means “presence’ or “arrival.” In the Bible, Parousia is a term most frequently used for the Second Coming of Jesus in the New Testament.
The observance of the Advent involves looking back with wonder at the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus while looking expectantly to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of human history. So, the focus is on the incarnational arrival of the Son of God two thousand years ago and His glorious return in the future. Essentially, it is a celebration of the Person of Jesus Christ and His works of redemption.
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Advent is a beautiful and meaningful season when we focus our attention on Christ, and Christ alone. We set aside time to pause, wait, and reflect on the Lord.
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Each year, the Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Day on 25 December. Traditionally, the first week focuses on hope in Christ, the second week on waiting on God, the third week on joy, and the fourth week on love.
Advent is a beautiful and meaningful season when we focus our attention on Christ, and Christ alone. We set aside time to pause, wait, and reflect on the Lord.
I am reminded of Jesus’ response to Martha, who complained that her sister was sitting at Jesus’ feet while she was busy cooking and serving. Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42 - NKJV).
There is a place for busyness in the ministry. Jesus says to do the works of God while it is day (John 9:4), meaning to seize every opportunity to serve God and His Kingdom.
However, we must not forget that we need to pause and rest in the Lord. There is great value in doing that. We find strength and confidence and we anchor ourselves more securely in Christ when we wait upon Him. Just as important, we recapture the wonder of knowing Christ, which will go a long way in rejuvenating our precious relationship with Him.
The Advent season provides us with the opportunity to do that. The church fathers recognised the value of Advent and wisely incorporated it into the church calendar.
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During this Advent, let us not be caught up with the busyness of life, work, and ministry. Distance yourself from distractions and purpose in your heart to focus on Jesus, the Lover of our soul.
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Often, we love new and innovative things. But sometimes, the old and traditional practices offer invaluable ideas for our spiritual growth and well-being.
Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV) - Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls…”
Ask for the ancient paths. Be like Mary and choose the good part. Sit at Christ’s feet and immerse in His presence.
During this Advent, let us not be caught up with the busyness of life, work, and ministry. Distance yourself from distractions and purpose in your heart to focus on Jesus, the Lover of our soul. I suggest we meditate on Him in four areas.
Meditate on Christ’s Birth
First, meditate on the birth of Christ. Consider the beauty of the incarnation of the Son of God on that silent and holy night 2,000 years old.
The birth of Jesus did not happen in a vacuum. God had promised the coming of a Saviour-Redeemer when Adam and Eve fell. Ancient prophets prophesied concerning His birth. Certain prophecies are very specific proving indisputably that Jesus is the Christ.
The Messiah, Jesus, would be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 22:18; Numbers 24:17) and hailed from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10). He would come from the royal line of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Kings 8:25, 8:5; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 33:17).
The prophet, Isaiah, prophesied about the Messiah’s unique birth. He would be born of a young virgin girl – “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).
Another prophet, Micah, prophesied that Christ would be born in the little town of Bethlehem - “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).
Meditate on Who Jesus Is to You
Second, reflect on who Jesus is to you.
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For us who believe that Jesus is the Christ, we need to seriously consider how then we should live. Jesus is our Saviour. But is He also our Lord? The Christian life is more than just about getting saved. Jesus expects us to live in a certain way.
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Once, Jesus asked His disciples two questions.
The first question is - “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Different people expressed different opinions. Some said that He was John the Baptist while others said He was Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets (Matthew 16:13-14).
Then, Jesus followed up with a second question – “But who do you say that I am?” – to which Peter reflexively responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:15-16).
Jesus’ identity is important. Who you think He is will determine your eternal destination and destiny.
But we should not stop there. For us who believe that Jesus is the Christ, we need to seriously consider how then we should live. Jesus is our Saviour. But is He also our Lord? The Christian life is more than just about getting saved. Jesus expects us to live in a certain way.
Matthew 16:24-26 - Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
In a nutshell, Jesus expects us to be totally surrendered to Him. We are to obey and follow Him without reservation even if it means forfeiting ourselves and losing our life.
This is Christianity 101. Many contemporary Christians do not realise that the Christian faith is radical to the core. We are required to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.
Are you living this way? Is Jesus the Lord of your life? Let us spend this Advent season reflecting on our relationship with Jesus.
Meditate on Jesus’ Death & Resurrection
Third, meditate on Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Why do that? Because Jesus was incarnated for a purpose. He was born to be the sacrificial Lamb of God. He came to die for our sins. The destination of the baby in the manger was the cross of Calvary.
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The story of Jesus’ birth cannot be separated from His death and subsequent resurrection. They are intricately linked.
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This is the plan of God for the redemption of mankind from sin. That is the reason the angels, on the night of Christ’s birth, sang, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
The story of Jesus’ birth cannot be separated from His death and subsequent resurrection. They are intricately linked.
Jesus’ death was not accidental. Neither was it a case of foolhardiness that He stepped on the wrong toes nor because He lost the battle of wits to the powerful religious leaders. Jesus knew His God-given mission.
We read in Mark 8:31 - And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Because Jesus died and rose again, we live! Hallelujah!
Meditate on this precious truth.
Meditate on Christ’s Second Coming
Fourthly and finally, meditate on the Second Coming of Jesus. Reflect on the two phases of His return, namely, the rapture of the church and His glorious coming to defeat Satan and the Antichrist as well as to establish God’s Kingdom on earth.
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Christ’s return is important for many reasons. One of the reasons is all believers will have to give an account of how we had lived and served in our lifetime.
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Interestingly, the early church fathers included the reflection on the Second Coming of Christ in the Advent calendar. Few Christians are aware that its inclusion preceded the Christmas reflection on the birth of Christ.
The two advents of Christ – His birth and glorious return – and His death, resurrection, and ascension in between paint a complete picture of God’s redemptive plan.
Christ’s return is important for many reasons. One of the reasons is all believers will have to give an account of how we had lived and served in our lifetime.
Matthew 16:27 - For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Jesus is talking about eternal rewards here. While our eternal destination is assured, the rewards that each believer will receive vary. Jesus will evaluate us and reward us accordingly. The criterion is faithfulness in both our lives and our service.
So, how we live and how we serve matters. They have implications for our eternity.
Do we live faithfully according to the Word of God? Do we love God? Do we love people? Are we kind? Are we forgiving? Do we bear the fruit of the Spirit?
Do we serve faithfully? Are we responsible and reliable? Are we conscientious? How is our attitude in service?
Reflect on these things.
Have a meaningful Advent and Christmas season!