The biblical call to prepare the way through reflection, prayer, reading and meditation is a central message of the Advent and Christmas season.
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“A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” – Isaiah 40:3
Advent is the perfect time to clear and prepare the Way. Advent is a winter training camp for those who desire peace. By reflection and prayer, by reading and meditation, we can make our hearts a place where a blessing of peace would desire to abide and where the birth of the Prince of Peace might take place. The biblical call to "prepare the way” is a central message of the Advent and Christmas season. It is a powerful invitation to look beyond the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations and focus on making room in our hearts and lives for the true meaning of Christmas: the arrival of Jesus Christ. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season! Society bombards us with the message of commercialism. It’s all about indulgence and society gives it’s “blessing” on it. Christmas is “sold” to us as a holiday without Christ, and Christians can get caught up in celebrating the holiday and missing its meaning. Part of the job description of the music minister is to encourage people in private worship at home. These devotions are part of the way that can help you in your own private time of worship.
For many, “advent” means a countdown to Christmas. Whether we envision candy-filled Advent calendars or lights draped over houses with nativity scenes out front, Advent marks a happy season of celebrating. But the word “advent” comes from the Latin adventus, which is about a “coming” or an “arrival.” The Latin translation of the New Testament uses adventus to describe God the Son arriving on Earth, born as Jesus of Nazareth. The Advent season leads to the celebration of Jesus’ birth and also emphasizes his future arrival. It’s a season that includes practices like prayer, giving to those in need, and worship (plus more, depending on the tradition). And it reminds us that we’re living during the time between Jesus’ first and second advents, leading us to lament the hardships we experience in a still-broken world, while also forming us into people who wait with longing for the renewed world to come. Celebrating Advent also means living into it by practicing a generous way of love and care for our neighbours as we partner with Jesus to bring peace on Earth.
Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas; it is a liturgical season that calls us to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity. It is a time of reflection, pondering the great mystery of the Incarnation. Throughout this season, God invites us to marvel at this event, drawing us closer to his heart and inviting us to know and experience his love. Advent is not only a time for personal reflection but also a season for serving others. By engaging in acts of service and giving to those in need, we serve God by answering his call to care for the least among us. Advent is a time of hope. When we show our children Advent’s profound truths, they receive a higher hope than anything this world can offer. During Advent, pastors and church leaders can have a profound effect on those who have little or no hope. When we show families and children Advent’s profound truths, families receive a higher hope than anything this world can offer.
Christmas is the favourite time of year. As wonderful as all that can be, Christmas is far more than what our cultural celebrations have made of it. Especially for Christians. When this time of year comes, we pay attention to what is at the centre of it all. We may enjoy the carols and decorations, but we celebrate the Advent of Jesus Christ. Advent teaches us how to do that as we celebrate the first coming of Jesus Christ born in a manger. Traditionally, Advent is celebrated during the four Sundays before Christmas, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. During those four Sundays, many churches and families will mark the days by lighting Advent candles or an Advent wreath. Having a physical symbol of this anticipation can help keep our minds on what it means for Jesus to be born. Physical representations of these moments act as reminders to us all. This season is not just about what we want. It is about what we need from a Saviour and what he did for us to save us from our sins. When we wait it means what we hope for has not yet come. It has been promised, or we have reason to believe it is on its way, but it is not yet here. We anticipate it and we actively look for it, but we wait.
During the four Sundays, it is common to celebrate four biblical themes: Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace. Hope reminds us of the people of God who anticipated the coming of the Messiah. We stand with them as we wait for Christmas Day. We also wait for the next coming of Christ as King. For Christians, the only way to have genuine hope in the face of earthly circumstances, is to put it in something utterly out of the reach of our surroundings. At Advent, we learn our hope belongs in the promise and character of God. He sent his Son. He is sending His Son again. As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember to place our spiritual preparation above all other trappings of the season.
Conclusion: Awaiting with expectation and preparing to receive the Lord are two important aspects of the Advent season. We must prepare a straight path for the Lord, removing all obstacles which stand in the Lord’s way preventing him from coming. All the crooked ways in our life, in the life of our society need to be straightened out. Every mountain and hill should be brought low and every valley be lifted up. Let the season of Advent be a time when we look forward with great expectation to the coming of the Lord, trusting that he will do a new thing in our life and in the life of the world. It is a time when we prepare ourselves morally and spiritually to receive him when he comes. Behold your God, he is coming. Prepare the way!
Rev. Fr. C. Joseph, Counsellor
St. Joseph’s College-Jakhama