Got Advent? Need It Now More Than Ever!

Do you remember the “Got Milk?” ad campaign from several years ago? At a time when milk was losing favor across the country, these commercials were hugely popular and helped reintroduce milk as a healthy drink option. Even if you’re not a milk drinker there’s probably not one person reading this article who isn’t familiar with this successful campaign.

By comparison, I wonder if we might say something similar about the Christian season of Advent. We’ve heard about it, but for most of us it gets reduced to “getting ready for Christmas.” That’s really unfortunate, because Advent is a distinct season in the Christian calendar from Christmas and holds out for us deep and rich theological truths that are crucial for flourishing in the Christian life. Yet, like milk, its themes do not always match our spiritual preferences. 

Advent, from the Latin word adventus meaning arrival, calls forth God’s people to wait and prepare for the coming of the Lord. During this season, Christians recall a world that lay in darkness (Is. 60:2; Jn. 1:5), while God’s people waited patiently for the coming of the long-promised Messiah. In Jesus’ first coming, we know that the Light of the Gospel dawned in the world (Jn. 8:12). Through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus defeated all of the powers of darkness (Jn. 12:46). Paul writes, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Col. 2:15).

Nevertheless, the fullness of our deliverance remains in the future. For this reason, Advent also calls Christians to embrace this current season of waiting. During this time, we look forward to Jesus’ second coming and the full consummation of God’s saving plan in Christ (cf. Rev. 21:1ff).

To be sure, Jesus’ light has shined in the darkness, but a remnant of darkness—its sin and misery—still persists. Sometimes we feel their presence more than at other times. I think you might agree with me that 2020 has been one of those times. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been given a powerful reminder that this world is broken and no one remains untouched by this year’s challenges. What is more, our confidence in the human spirit has also been shaken. Whether it was racial prejudice, violence in the streets or merely the hate and slander overflowing on social media, this year has reminded us that the heart of every person is “deceitful above all things and desperately sick” (Jer. 17:9). How desperately too are we in need of salvation!

This awareness is at the heart of why we need Advent in our lives so much this year. Its call to waiting and reflection reminds us that we are not the answer to this world’s sin and brokenness. Advent is like a great summons to do something that we don’t want to do, but need to in order to move towards health. That thing is embracing (or re-embracing) our impotence in the face of our sin and sorrow. Our hope lies outside of this world, and in the One who came and who will come again to usher in His everlasting shalom (peace).

Therefore, let’s redouble our efforts this year to see Advent as something other than “getting ready for Christmas.” Rather than descend into the Christmas frenzy of personal focus, let’s use this time to patiently reflect on our and this world’s great need for the Savior. Even as we attend to our duties of shopping, baking and decorating, let’s not forget that this season is more about waiting for Jesus Christ, who did and continues to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

So, let me ask the question, “Got Advent?” I hope that you will agree with me that we need this season of the church calendar now more than ever.

We hope you will join us at Redeemer for worship during Advent, either in person at 9:30 or 11 a.m. on Sundays or via livestream at 11 a.m. Find Redeemer's full Advent and Christmas schedule HERE.

Click here for digital and print Advent resources from RPC Children's Ministries.