Advent

This week in my household we opened the first doors of our advent calendars with great anticipation. There’s nothing like that thrill of chocolate to get the day started!

The word “advent” means “expectant waiting.” This season is marked by waiting and anticipating something big, something better. For Christians, advent is a way to celebrate the promise of the Saviour Jesus Christ, both at birth and looking forward to His return.

Last year’s stay-at-home Christmas felt pretty much ‘cancelled’. This year the anticipation has been stronger than ever, as people ‘go big’ to make up for lost time. My house is decorated, the tree is up, my kids have already sent me their Christmas wish-lists on Whatsapp.

Anticipation should be a joyful feeling, but we sometimes anticipate things with anxiety. Many are concerned that Coronavirus might ruin another holiday period, others hate the hidden isolation that the holiday season can create.

Many amazing charities in our city anticipate the loneliness or dangerous weather of winter by seeking to serve others, providing for their most important needs, like friendship, food and warmth. Let’s support those causes financially and practically ourselves.

One simple and fun initiative in Sheffield is that many churches are giving away over 3500 ‘Real Advent Calendars’ to our friends, colleagues, schools and foodbanks. Along with chocolates they also tell the historic story of the birth of Jesus.  

The bible anticipated the coming of Jesus, not with dread but with extraordinary expectation of better things to come:

“because of the tender mercy of our God, the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Gospel of Luke chapter 1)

What an amazing, hopeful picture of promise. This challenges the usual rhetoric. Don’t believe the hype of Christmas advertising. The real significance is upside down. It is about wholesome joy not about consuming more. It is about serving not being served. It is about reconciliation not just recreation.

The gift of Christ at Christmas has come. Don’t let it get buried underneath the presents and tree trimmings. Don’t walk past the eternal, oblivious in your worries of the world. Let us open the doors to our hearts as we open our advent calendars. Hope is coming!

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash