Advent - JOY (3 of 3)
Series: Advent
Rich Wooten
Luke 1:26-38
Advent has come to be known as the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas. It is a celebration that has taken different forms in the last several centuries.
History: Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God's incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). Baptisms in that time would happen once a year, so the preparation was super important and the anticipation was enduring! During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.
By the 6th century, however, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the ''coming'' they had in mind was not Christ's first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world.
It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ's first coming at Christmas.
So, we come to week 3 of our Advent Series. Thus far, we have looked at HOPE and PEACE. The incarnation has brought these in abundance, some of it is expressed in our world now, and for believers, the ultimate reality of HOPE and PEACE is reserved for the world to come. But we have a responsibility, as we found out, to be bearers of both HOPE and PEACE to a broken world, to be the extension of the incarnation to our darkened world. It is overwhelming, but at the same time, so rewarding! To be the ones entrusted with the message of eternal HOPE and PEACE is a wonderful expression of trust on the part of our God! He has given us these great gifts to receive, and then to mu ...
Series: Advent
Rich Wooten
Luke 1:26-38
Advent has come to be known as the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas. It is a celebration that has taken different forms in the last several centuries.
History: Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God's incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). Baptisms in that time would happen once a year, so the preparation was super important and the anticipation was enduring! During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.
By the 6th century, however, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the ''coming'' they had in mind was not Christ's first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world.
It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ's first coming at Christmas.
So, we come to week 3 of our Advent Series. Thus far, we have looked at HOPE and PEACE. The incarnation has brought these in abundance, some of it is expressed in our world now, and for believers, the ultimate reality of HOPE and PEACE is reserved for the world to come. But we have a responsibility, as we found out, to be bearers of both HOPE and PEACE to a broken world, to be the extension of the incarnation to our darkened world. It is overwhelming, but at the same time, so rewarding! To be the ones entrusted with the message of eternal HOPE and PEACE is a wonderful expression of trust on the part of our God! He has given us these great gifts to receive, and then to mu ...
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