Photo by KaLisa Veer on Unsplash
We are just starting the season in the Christian calendar called “Advent.” It is one of the church seasons that seems to be either unnecessary or shrouded in mystery. Why does the Church celebrate Advent? Why do we light candles at Church during December? Wait, are Advent and Christmas different? These questions and more fill the minds of many astute worshipers during December, so let me try and explain why the Church celebrates Advent and why it matters.
When every moment of our world conditions us to celebrate the self, in Advent, the Church boldly celebrates something more significant, grander, and compelling. In a time where rampant personal narcissism is celebrated as we clamor for Instagram likes, Advent humbles us and reminds us: this is not about you. This is about God. You are welcome here.. Your presence is important. You have been made a part of the story. But God is the star, not you.
Advent, in the gospel story, proclaims a message that is radically God-centered, not me-centered. Advent reminds us to slow our pace and say, with the great hymn-writer Charles Wesley, “Come Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free!”
Our culture of individualism wants us to look into our hearts and discover our inner goodness and then tell it to the world on Facebook. But Advent shows us that our hearts are filled with sin; it helps us discover (again)that what we need most is more followers but redemption. While everything around us says we should look inward, the gospel says to look upward. That’s a countercultural message.
I know it is hard, especially this time of year, not to be constantly moving, but Advent invites us to be still. In a “quick to speak” world, Advent would have us sit quietly and listen, hearing God’s word preached and his wisdom given. It is far too easy to spend way too much time talking about ourselves—on social media, blogs, Instagram, and so forth, but Advent calls us to talk about God and to God. We sing of his attributes, his love, and mercy toward us. We declare it in liturgy, devotions, creeds, and prayers. His story shapes us in Bible readings, preaching, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, confession, singing together, and other regular rituals.
Christians actively wait for Christ coming as a baby in Christmas and as a King in His final return. In a day of microwave foods, drive-thru windows, and two-day shipping, in Advent, we watch, wait, and know the joy that proclaims, “Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King!”
Try taking the month of December and make room for Jesus. Two thousand years ago, the Holy Family went from house to house in Bethlehem, looking for a room to welcome Jesus into the world safely. He is still looking for lives that will make room for Him.
Creating space for Him can include incorporating an Advent devotional into your routine (I can recommend Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “God is in the Manger”) or spending 15-20 minutes in the morning in prayer. It could also mean you decide to be more intentional with your time; maybe the most important decision you can make this Advent season is to say “no” to a party and stay home with your family. God will lead you if you give Him the time to speak. Slow down and allow yourself the space to properly welcome Jesus because He has come, He continues to come, and He will come again.
Keep praying.