Advent Reminds Us We Are Waiting

What separates Christianity from other religions is fulfilled prophecy. The prophets foretold of a Messiah who would redeem His people. That Messiah was Jesus.

The Jewish people had the Old Testament to read about the coming Messiah. I will have to assume that many longed for this coming while others dismissed it because of the long period it has taken for God to act. If you have read the Bible long enough, you know that God's timetable is not ours. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

The season of Advent is to remind Christians that the promised Messiah did come. Jesus came to live among His people to fulfill the law of God and to take the penalty for our sin in our place on the cross. Jesus did not stay dead, God raised Him from the dead and later ascended to the Father. Two angels appeared to the Apostles and told them Jesus will come back the same way He left.

These events happened 2,000 years ago. Many things have happened in the last two millennium and some have even wondered if Christ will return. We hold to the promise of Scripture that Jesus will return, however, no man knows the hour (Matthew 24:36) and that day will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Christ's first Advent came unexpectantly and so will His second Advent. As we celebrate His first coming, let us be reminded that we are waiting for the second coming.

Scripture reminds us we are citizens of heaven "and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself" (Philippians 3:20-21). As we live in this world waiting for the second Advent, we are to live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 3:11) as well as to rest on the grace of God to renounce sin and live self-controlled lives (Titus 2:12-14).

Father, we are waiting for your Son's return when the world will be made right and wickedness will be eradicated from the land. Help us to be reminded of what people we are suppose to be as we wait. While we look forward to celebrate the birth of your Son, help us to remember He is coming back. Amen.