Advent Thoughts

Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming”) is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth.  Advent brings about a whole new meaning this year as we have been waiting for our precious Judah to arrive. 

I try to imagine what it must have been like to be Joseph and Mary, nearing the time of Jesus’ birth, knowing the immense, incredible weight of caring for the Redeemer of Israel—Savior of the world—God’s Son.  The frustration Joseph must have felt when the stable was the only available space for them; Mary’s wonder and amazement at the mere fact that she was chosen to birth, nurture, and care for the God of the universe in human form.  But before all of that…the waiting, the wondering, the travelling—the expectancy!

We have been waiting with bated breath every day as we inch closer and closer to Judah’s arrival, and it has given us a new perspective on this time of preparation for celebration.  What if we prepared our hearts for Jesus the way we prepare our hearts to accept a new life into this world?  What if, with the same anticipation that Joseph and Mary had, we marveled at the idea of the Savior coming into the world to preach the good news to the poor, bind up the broken hearted, and proclaim freedom to the captives (Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:18-19)?

So from now on, we understand a little better what Advent is all about!