My reflection on Advent this year

The traditional Western churches (including the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian Churches) follow a liturgical calendar ~ one that determines the different emphasis-seasons of the year (eg. Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, etc)... as well as the colours used on banners, building decorations if any, Scripture to be read, liturgy and the order of services. The Eastern Orthodox and other Eastern churches have their liturgical calendar too ~ however, dates and events may vary a little from those in the Western calendar. 

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The liturgical year begins before the New Year. It begins with Advent ~ 4 Sundays before Christmas (December 25th), the first Sunday of which is called "Advent Sunday". Christians prepare their hearts to celebrate the theophany at the crib of Bethlehem ~ not just a vision, shadow or sign ~ but God Himself. As promised, He came... to a creation that could never be saved unless the Creator had sent a Savior. And the Creator did send a Savior. Jesus Christ ~ the Word made flesh; He through whom all things came into being and had life; He who was before all things and in whom all things hold together (cf. John 1:3-4, 14; Col 1:17) ~ He came.

Advent is undoubtedly a season of joy. Don't think too much, and it seems to be merely a season of putting up Christmas trees, crafting cards, shopping for presents, planning holidays, camps, parties, caroling, pies, candy-canes and Ho-ho-ho's ~ not necessarily bad things. I am not saying that we should eliminate them. It's OK to have fun. :) However, only when we see the shocking, grim reality of the cross at Golgotha; only when we remember the bloody ransom paid by the Savior to free us from our bondage to Sin; only when we perceive the hope of what it means to live an abundant life in Christ today --- can we truly appreciate Advent. And we await Christmas with joy, fearlessness and gratitude ~ for Christmas too speaks the Gospel: death has lost its sting.

The necessity and lustre of Christmas is magnified against a backdrop of pitch-black darkness, hopelessness and death. The crib at Bethlehem not only held the promise of a very different destiny for the world --- but the crib also culminated in the promise fulfilled ~ Easter. Christmas is therefore not only a celebration of love --- but also one of a new destiny in Christ. A destiny of life. Advent brings us not only to wait with great hopes and expectations --- but it brings us to renew our resolve to live our lives to the fullest, despite every difficulty, grief, painful loss and "impossible" circumstance, bearing in mind the precious reality of Immanuel: God is with us. Through every difficulty, grief, painful loss and impossible circumstance, God is with us ~ and there is true hope, because Christ has risen. We are more than overcomers ~ because God's Spirit lives in us.

God is with us --- yea, He who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). 

Would you believe in Him?