The cooling temperatures and the turning color of leaves signal to us that the end of the year is coming. We will soon find ourselves preparing to take out our cozy sweaters, put up our Christmas trees, and celebrate the holidays with friends and family. The approaching holidays remind us that the season of Advent is also upon us. Starting November 30, we have the opportunity to prepare our hearts for Christmas Day by reflecting on the purpose of Christ’s birth and how Christ’s first coming points us forward to His Second Coming.
The Significance of Advent
The Advent season is of particular importance because it reminds us of the incredible truth that Jesus, the Son of God, took on flesh. Jesus’s incarnation, or His taking on humanity, is something that should leave us in wonder. Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, left His throne on High to come and be born as a humble baby boy—for us. Jesus willingly took on humanity so that He could identify with us and die for us. And because Jesus came to us, walked among us, and died for us, we have a gift that is far greater than anything we could receive at Christmas. We have the gift of God’s constant presence.
The promised presence that Christ gives us because of His incredible incarnation is why we wrote this year's Advent study: Awakening Wonder | Experiencing the Nearness of Jesus. It is our hope that no matter what you might be experiencing this Advent season, this study will cultivate wonder in you over who Jesus is and remind you that because of Christ, God’s presence is with you always. To give you a little sneak peek at this study and what to expect, we’ve included an excerpt from this study below.
If you took away all the twinkling lights, the baked cookies, the gifts, and the gatherings, would Christmas still be a highlight of your year? If stripped of its glitter and glow, would the truth that grounds Advent be enough for you? If we boil Christmas down to one central celebratory truth, it would be this: God’s enduring presence with mankind was proven in the birth of baby Jesus—God’s own Son in the form of man. God’s dwelling with humanity reached its climax. God became human—a vulnerable human baby dependent upon His mother to nurse, to wipe His tears, and cradle Him in her arms—a baby who would grow up to redeem the world with His life. This is the wonder of Christmas—a Light brighter than even the most epic light display in your neighborhood—a Hope even greater than any coming gift. Jesus is divine love made manifest—the God who created mankind from dust walking amidst the very dust from which He crafted creation. In fact, God’s presence with His people did not begin with Jesus—it culminated with Jesus. God’s presence with mankind has persisted ever since Adam and Eve breathed their first breath. God’s plan was always to dwell with us.
Don’t miss out this Advent season on the gift of God’s presence. Don’t let distractions, discouragements, or disappointments keep you from being reminded that Jesus is near. Let Awakening Wonder fix your eyes on your Savior who came to you so He could be with you forever.
