A Thrill of Hope; A Plea for Advent

Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

Oh night divine,

Oh night when Christ was born; Oh night,

Oh holy night,

Oh night divine.

(Oh Holy Night, verse 1)

There is so much hope in the Christmas story. This holiday season, we have the opportunity to celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people that we now have a way to draw near to Him. Advent means coming. And as we approach Christmas, we have this chance to remember, long for, and lead up to the holiday with a renewed sense of awe and amazement that these promises have been fulfilled. Our Savior had come.

As we approach this holiday season, I am urging you to dedicate some time over the next few weeks to wholeheartedly meditate and reflect on the truths the Christmas season represents. In a season full of fast paced living, it is crucial to return to a spirit of longing for something far greater like they longed for the Messiah. Don’t get me wrong. I am thrilled to be going through all the fun festivities with family and friends. Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. From the Christmas baking, music, movies, gift giving, cozy sweaters, warm fires, cuddling with my husband, extra family time, I could seriously go on and on about all I love about this season. Even though those things cause me immense happiness, none of it compares to the joy found in Christ coming to earth as a baby so many years ago that we might be reconciled to God through His finished work on the cross.

Following Thanksgiving Day, as we go through the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas day, my prayer is that our minds might be shifted to a direction intent of slowing down and taking the much needed time to reflect on the incredible truth the Christmas story gives us. There are 4 reasons for our taking part in advent that I have been thinking about and praying over that I want us all to embrace.

Reason One: We Need A Transformed Christmas Focus

Do not let the season narrow your gaze. We must gaze beyond what our finite minds can comprehend to the realities of the gospel and the unwavering hope we have because of Christ.

It is far too easy to let our minds run to all the things we need to get done or to the temporal things we can touch, feel, and see. The reality of this season extends well beyond the transient holiday celebrations wrapped up in wrapping paper. Our Savior has come. We must get our minds back to truth. God’s word is truth (John 17:17).

Reason Two: We Need to Be Still

An advent focus should slow our minds and hearts through what can feel like a chaotic season. Slowness amidst the consumer-based mentality, black Friday rush, frantic shopping, calendar packed time will result in our hearts returning to awe of such a beautiful, humbling story. Don’t let the busyness drown your awe. Rather let yourself take a step back and wallow in this awe and wonder that the Creator of the universe fulfilled the promises and came to earth a little babe for you and for me. Be still and know that He is God.

Reason Three: We Desperately Need to Behold and Become

Take this season to further your knowledge of who He is. Be transformed as you behold Him in His word.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

What a beautiful promise we have that our likeness will continue to mold more into the image of God’s Son as we stay faithful in our beholding of His glory through the word. We have to take the time to study with patience and perseverance to grow in this knowledge that produces fruit that will inevitably magnify and glorify Him.

Reason Four: Gaze Beyond

As we examine the longings of the people for Christ’s first coming, we too can return our heart's gaze and long for Christ’s second coming. The story of Jesus is infused all throughout the Old Testament as they yearned deeply for their Messiah to come. We see promise after promise fulfilled through Scripture. We can rest in the promises we still await. And there is so much hope in that.

Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, With all our hearts we praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory ever more proclaim! His power and glory ever more proclaim!

(Oh Holy Night, verse 3)

So, join me over the next 4 Sundays as we uncover some truths from His word, reflect on some beloved Christmas hymns, and commit our minds to return to the attitude of wonder and awe at the miracle of Jesus coming to earth. The wait was over. Immanuel, God with us, has come.