A Season of Hope & Expectation
The world may simply know this as the Christmas season, but as we prepare to celebrate the coming of our Savior, we celebrate another season as well: Advent. Advent, which means arrival, encapsulates both the eager expectation about what can be and longing for things to be different. It is a season of reflection, preparation, and hope—hope that Jesus is coming and everything will be transformed.
The Two Advents of Jesus
Today, we reflect on the two Advents of Jesus.
Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”
In just two short verses, the writer of Hebrews offers profound insights: that everyone will die and everyone will face judgment, but that Jesus came to be judged for us. In his first advent, Jesus bore our sins. In His second advent, He will return to complete our salvation.
The promise of bearing our sin and saving our lives is for those who are waiting for Him. It’s for those who have trusted and continue to trust—for those who long for His appearing.
Longing in the Christmas Season
We often find ourselves longing for many things during the Christmas season: purchasing and receiving the perfect gifts, traveling, office parties, holiday foods, seeing family (for better or worse). But deeper still, we share a longing for connection, meaning, and peace. Jesus came to fulfill these deeper longings, including the ultimate longing for fulfillment. He takes away our sins, draws us into the life of God, and promises to return for our complete salvation for all eternity. And so we can join in saying, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Throughout the Advent season, let’s hold onto the hope and anticipation that this season brings. May our hearts be open to the transformative presence of Christ as we wait for His return.
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