The word ‘advent’ means the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. This time of year is often referred to as Advent because followers of Jesus celebrate the coming of the Son of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
Certainly, the Creator and Sustainer of everything that has ever existed can be called a notable person and His arrival can be called a notable event! Thus, this time of year is often called Advent. While most people acknowledge the arrival of Jesus at this time some 2,000 years ago and while all followers of Jesus acknowledge His deity, most people haven’t fully considered what it is that Jesus brought with His advent.
The folks over at the Bible Project have done some thinking on this topic. While not exhaustive, they have focused on four unique themes that came to their fulfillment in the arrival, the advent, of Jesus. These four themes, each of which has a short video which is very helpful, are Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love.
In His coming, Jesus brought peace. What had been ruined back in the Garden in Adam and Eve’s disobedience was now being made right as this second Adam lived a perfect life so that all who repent and trust in Him can have peace with God. In addition, followers of Jesus have hope. This is not a hope based upon what might or could be. Rather, this is a hope based upon Who was, and Who is, and Who is to come…Jesus Christ! Because of what He did and who He is, the Christian has a firm hope knowing what awaits them because Jesus Christ came and performed His work!
In addition, Jesus brought joy with His advent. This goes beyond a mere feeling that is based upon circumstances or even a mood. Instead, Christian joy is a choice to respond in trust in the God who came in fulfillment of so many of His Old Testament promises and continues to fulfill His promises until He returns in fulfillment of them all. Finally, with His advent, Jesus brought love. Love, like joy, is more than a simple feeling or emotion. Instead, it is an action in which, just like Jesus did in His advent, a person seeks the well-being of others regardless of that person’s response.
Have you ever considered so deeply what the advent of Jesus meant for you as a Christian? Go even deeper by watching the videos (linked to above) with your family this season as together you all consider how great and far-reaching the Advent of our Savior is!
I’m very confused about why churches teach that December 25 is Jesus birthday. It is not historically so. It is actually the celebration of a pagan gods birthday. And Christmas was illegal in America many years ago?
The birth of Jesus is so very sacred and important and special. I just do not understand why churches teach it to be observed on December 25. It seems to be all tradition and God wants us to follow His word and not the traditions of man.
My purpose in writing this is not at all to be condemning. I’m just really confused on this issue and don’t understand it. Thank you for your patience with me.
Tara-Thanks for your considerate comment. I appreciate it! You are correct…we have no idea as to the date of Jesus’ actual birthday within the year. In fact, there is even debate among scholars if Jesus was born in 0 or in 3 BC. Regardless, though, we do believe that Jesus was truly God and became a man and that took place at His birth. That is what we celebrate each Christmas.
At Grace Fellowship we do not teach that Jesus’ birthday is on Dec 25. In fact, we are very explicit in stating that we do not know the day of His birth. I am not familiar with Christmas being illegal in the US but do have some familiarity with the pagan roots of the holiday that was originally celebrated on or around December 25.
Here two sites I would refer you to. In regards to the pagan roots of the holiday, see this article at Ligonier Ministries: https://www.ligonier.org/blog/celebration-christmas-pagan-ritual/.
In regards to whether we should celebrate Christmas and participate in the extra-biblical traditions, see this article from Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/are-there-lies-in-your-christmas-tree.
I hope that we all keep the beauty and necessity of Jesus Christ at the center of our celebrations and gift giving at this time of the year!