Advent – Week Two

Preparation. Last week, we began a series on what Advent is and how we celebrate it. I am giving this explanation for any who did not see this last week. The word Advent is derived from the Latin word, “adventus”, meaning, “coming” and by the 6^th century, Roman Christians had tied it to the coming of Jesus. For Christians today, the season of Advent comprises the four weeks leading up to Christmas with each week focusing on a different topic: Week 1 – Hope or Promise, Week 2 – Preparation or Waiting, Week 3 – Joy or Peace and Week 4 – Love or Adoration. Also, each week is highlighted by the lighting of an Advent Candle which we see in the image above. Today, we will look at Week 2 of Advent, Preparation or Waiting.

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 40:3-5)

Preparation. The prophet Isaiah is seeing a few hundred years into the future and speaking of John the Baptist, (John 1:23), who was preaching repentance of sin and baptism and telling the people of One who was coming who was greater than himself, Jesus. John was telling the people to prepare, to get ready for the Kingdom of God. Jesus was there. He had been born; He grew and was beginning His ministry. But would suffer and die for the sins of the world. Jesus was among them. However, some of the people did not listen to or believe in Jesus then. Jesus is among us now. However, some do not listen to His Word or believe in Him today. Jesus came once as a baby but He is coming again in glory as the Victor over sin and death. We celebrate the birth of the Baby but we must prepare for the Victor. “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44). We wait and prepare.