The tradition of Advent was observed formally in my home church growing up, but I never really understood what it was about. This month, I have been reading up on Advent and am blown away by the depth of the thoughts to ponder.
The Gospel Coalition wrote the following, "In Advent, Christians embrace the groaning, recognizing it not as hopeless whimpering over the paucity of the present moment but as expectant yearning for the divine banquet Jesus is preparing for us. In Advent, the church admits, as poet R.S. Thomas puts it, that "the meaning is in the waiting." And what we await is the final Advent to come! Just as the ancient Isrealites awaited the coming of the Messiah in flesh we await the coming of the Messiah in glory. In Advent, believers confess that the infant who drew His first ragged breath between a virgin's knees has yet to speak His final word."
(http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-celebrate-advent)
As I mulled on this thought, I realized that God has placed me in a situation where I must wait. We have experienced infertility and loss in the last 5 years, and this waiting to see if and how God will add to our family is often excruciating. In this, I am not assured that all will be right in this world, but the the expectant waiting helps me to understand in the spiritual realm the purpose for waiting and what longing unfulfilled looks like.
This season is not JUST about what did happen and how God kept His promises, but also about the glorious promise that He will COME AGAIN and my heart is to be captivated by that! How awesome is that? How we need these kinds of reminders in dark days, with Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Paris, and terror acts in the USA fresh in our mind! God has NOT forgotten and He is on His way - SOON!
This is the message I want to mull over and teach my daughter this year. She knows the story of Nativity, the meaning, and the depth - very well, but this is a whole other area to explore with her. It will be meaningful to her because she is the child who often pauses and looks up at the sky, noting..."it looks like Jesus could come back today"; or crying because she can't go to Heaven today; or will bust out saying " when is Jesus coming back? I've been waiting a REALLY long time (hilarious...she's only just turned 8)." And the Lord uses her to reprimand my heart...why am I not so taken with His coming? Why am I so focused on the here and now? Even she can get taken up with this world and its injustices that are placed upon her, so to refocus our hearts on Jesus' return and the setting of all things right will be a balm to our weary souls.
A recommendation of the article referenced above, was to list some ways the world is broken as a family, and to talk about how God is already at work redeeming and saving the lost. Then plan some family activities around the theme of relieving human suffering in your neighborhood - maybe help out at a soup kitchen, or food pantry, a homeless shelter, or handing out Christmas gifts to the needy. One activity we have planned is to take cookies and cards to community helpers and people working in needed ministries as an encouragement to them. What can you do this year to show God's love and promote the hope of His return?
"Advent reminds us to listen for the message God is speaking, even in the waiting." Gospel Coalition
