I've never really participated in Advent until this year. Christmas, for most of my life, has revolved around the presents and time with family. These are good things, but I have never intentionally placed celebrating the birth of Christ at the center of the holidays. It is really easy to just throw a little Jesus in on the side to your Christmas experience; but, this year I wanted it to be different.
The Holy Spirit wanted me to approach it differently, to approach it intentionally.
Advent is about celebration.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem... And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him.
Matthew 2:1,9-11
Christmas is about celebrating the first coming of Christ. It is about delighting in, treasuring, and savoring a beautiful and true story of a King lying in a manger, the Creator taking on flesh to create a way for you and for me to have a relationship with Him. We couldn't do it on our own, we couldn't overcome our sin, so He came and did it for us.
Christmas is about celebrating this coming of Grace. Oh, that I wouldn't treat it as a children's story, but as the true account of how much my Savior loves me and the world. When I see it for what it is, I am not merely content with smiling at the lights and decorating a tree; I am overjoyed in humble worship that my Savior King has come for me.
Advent is about expectation.
And when He (Jesus) said these things, as they (the disciples) 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."
Acts 1:9-11
Christmas is not only about celebrating the first coming, it's about expecting the second. When we live in eager anticipation and expectation of the second coming, it changes us. If I truly believe that Jesus could come again in glory tomorrow, my life would look different. My relationship with Christ would look different.
I would value eternal things more and earthly things less.
Advent is about faith.
And blessed is she (Mary) who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.
Luke 1:45
Perhaps the biggest lesson I am learning this week is the importance of believing God's promises. The Lord has promised good to me. He has promised me Himself, and He is the ultimate provider. Thus, if I don't have something now, it must surely mean that I don't need it now.
I realized this week that I have believed the lie, however subconsciously, that the Lord is withholding something from me. To be completely honest, I've believed the lie that He has withheld a relationship from me. I haven't dated in college, and this holiday season has brought to light many insecurities and fears that have come with that.
But here's the truth, God doesn't withhold things from me out of spite or out of punishment. If I am not in a relationship right now, it's because I don't need to be in one. It's because God is more glorified in my singleness and I am growing the most by being single. He is wise. He loves me. He has never failed me before. I can guarantee that He won't start now and I am at peace with that.
As John Piper put so eloquently, "The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God's peace is faith in the promises of God."
Amen.
Amen.
Advent is about community.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to faith and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you se the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25
My favorite part of this week has been sharing the lessons with some of my closest friends. What a joy it is to see how the Lord works in each of our lives individually- using the same inspired sentences and scriptures to teach us all different lessons. What a beautiful picture of community!
While the Lord is teaching me about believing His promises, He is teaching others about endurance and faithfulness. I am so blessed to have such incredible friends that seek the Lord with their whole heart and share their joy and trials with me. It makes life this side of Heaven that much sweeter and seeing the face of Jesus that much easier. Praise the Lord that we aren't in this alone.
But I am reminded by my beautiful friend Riley that while relationships are a huge part of this life and some of the biggest blessings, they aren't the greatest gifts Jesus can give. The greatest gift He gives is Himself, and that is what Christmas is all about.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for
He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call be blessed; for
He who is mighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His name.
And is mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy,
as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His offspring forever.
Luke 1:46-55
Mary's Song of Praise
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| Thanks, Jesus, for using these two to consistently lead me to see and savor Your truths more. |
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