The word advent means coming or arrival. At the time of Jesus birth, the Jewish people were waiting with anticipation for the Messiah. And they had been waiting a long time. Through years of exile and captivity, they had held tightly to the promise of the one who would come to establish God’s kingdom forever. The coming of the Messiah was an event that was defined by excitement.
For many of us, Christmas has lost that sense of joy. The overwhelming anticipation for the Savior has been replaced with the stress of making last minute purchases, the preparations for awkward family interaction, and this year, the worry of what is even going to happen. Even if we reflect on Jesus, it is too often nothing more than recognition of an event that happened 2000 years ago. But this was not just some event; this was the inauguration of the kingdom of God. Jesus was coming to earth to establish Himself as the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.