Advent – What is it?

The Advent season is a four-week period in the Christian calendar that prepares people for Jesus Christ’s birth at Christmas, while also pointing ahead to his promised return. Each Sunday of the season traditionally spotlights a key theme—like hope, peace, joy, or love—to invite reflection, prayer, and expectant celebration.

The word “advent” comes from the Latin “adventus”, which is about a “coming” or an “arrival.” The Latin translation of the New Testament uses adventus to describe God the Son arriving on Earth, born as Jesus of Nazareth during the 1st century A.D. ^{(see Acts 7:52)}. Still, throughout Church history, Advent has more traditionally referred to Jesus’ future arrival, when he comes to complete his work of restoring all creation ^{(see Matt. 24:27; 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 3:13)}.

The Advent season leads to the celebration of Jesus’ birth and also emphasizes his future arrival. It’s a season that includes practices like prayer, giving to those in need, and worship ^{(plus more, depending on the tradition).} And it reminds us that we’re living during the time between Jesus’ first and second advents, leading us to lament the hardships we experience in a still-broken world, while also forming us into people who wait with longing for the renewed world to come. 

Celebrating Advent also means living it by practicing a generous way of love and care for our neighbors as we partner with Jesus to bring peace on Earth. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: https://bibleproject.com/guides/advent/

The Four Weeks of Advent

 

In most Christian traditions, Advent is a four-week season of celebration and observation prior to Christmas, each week often focusing on a particular biblical theme. These are some themes commonly explored during Advent. 

 

Week 1: Hope

Week 2: Peace

Week 3: Joy

Week 4: Love    

 

For the next four weeks up until Christmas Day I will address each topic during that particular week. As you can see the first week of December will address Hope.

 

Christmas is a very special time of year for all those who celebrate it. There are many traditions, some bible-based, others purely personal & family oriented. It is a season that is meant to bring all the themes listed up above out in those who celebrate the season.  

Advent itself has, down thru the ages celebrated the arrival of the divine child; God in human form. The anticipation of His arrival becomes electric as the day approaches. His arrival had come at its prescribed time, and the world was better for it. Those who dismiss His arrival as a children’s fairytale are missing out regarding something that is outside themselves and is waiting to bless them.  

The four topics from up above are attainable in the real world, yet they are not the lasting versions of them. Hope, peace, joy, & love can be had outside of knowing God, but they are of the temporal variety, and not eternal, as they are from knowing God.

The spiritual realm exists in part to enhance our experience knowing God. The hope, peace, joy, & love that exists as it radiates from Almighty God is eternal in nature and attainable by merely asking. God is the embodiment of these four traits that place our lives on a path to supreme and everlasting peace, contentment, and fulfillment. These things are attainable only thru God and no one or nothing else. So enjoy the next four weeks of Advent as I attempt to educate, encourage, & edify you all. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries