This year the advent season began on November 27th. Advent is celebrated by Christians around the world. It is observed during the four weeks leading up to Christmas day.
Advent means the coming or arrival. During Advent Christians reflect on the love, peace, joy and hope that came with Jesus Christ’s first arrival to earth at his birth. You can learn more here.
One tradition during the Advent season is to light a candle on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. This is just to symbolize the light that Jesus brought to the world with peace, joy, love and hope. You can learn more about this along with how Advent is celebrated around the world here.
Today I want to spotlight a song by Christy Nockels called “The Thrill of Hope – Advent Hymn”. This song captures the themes of Advent really well. I hope it will encourage you during this Advent season.
I did not pay much attention to this season until I learned more about it 1 or 2 years ago, the only thing I knew about Advent was the Advent calendar but I did not know the spiritual aspect. Now I am making it a point to stop and reflect on the hope, joy, love and peace that Jesus Christ brought.
There were many prophecies pointing to the birth of Christ, his first arrival and there are many prophecies pointing to his second coming. When I think of Advent I reflect on these two arrivals.
Joy – A birth of a child is always a joyous occasion. Jesus Christ’s birth produced great joy in heaven and on earth. This was not just another birth, this was the savior of the world arriving to begin his mission. As a believer I look ahead to the everlasting joy and life that Christ purchased for me.
Love – The greatest love of all is of a father sending his only son to die in the place of sinners who only deserve punishment. Jesus came to save us all and once we call on him to be saved we become a child of God and are loved by God forever.
Hope – Jesus Christ’s birth brought hope to a lost world because the savior had come. Jesus did not remain dead after being crucified in our place for our sins. God the father raised him back to life on the third day. Jesus defeated death so I and every believer have the hope of everlasting life.
Peace – Jesus brought peace into the world, but not between individuals. Jesus brought peace between God and humanity. We can only come to God the father and become his child through his only begotten son Jesus Christ. You see, believers become God’s children through adoption. This peace will never be broken because Jesus paid the price and there will be peace in the new heaven and earth.
If you want this peace watch the video below.
I will add that I do not do the candle lighting but I think it does serve as a good symbol of the light Jesus brought to the world.
I hope that you will take time to reflect on these things during the Advent season. I hope this short devotional has encouraged you today. You can read more devotionals here.
Jazmin Ruiz 