Advent at a Glance
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Introduction
Now remember, during Advent we have been walking through the Old Testament, following along with God’s people as God prepared them for the coming of the Messiah.
Now to help us in this endeavor, each week our service has focused on one of the major Old Testament themes that God gave His people in order to prepare them (these themes were introduced by the Advent Wreath and then repeated throughout the service).
This morning, as we come to the fourth and final Sunday in Advent, Christmas and the celebration of Christ’s birth is almost upon us. Therefore, this morning, I want us to spend our time together in review.
That is, I want to look back over the whole of the Advent season and allow the great themes of Old Testament preparation one more opportunity to ready our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
I. The First Great Theme of Advent is Love
A] Advent begins by reminding you that Christmas is proof positive that God loves you. How? Think about it: God did not save you because you deserved it; nor was He begrudgingly obligated to do so. Instead, Christmas and the whole of your salvation have but one solitary basis and explanation, God loves you.
1John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested towards us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
B] Notice the result: Advent reminds me that the Christian walk is not about trying to earn or keep God’s love. Instead, the Manger and God’s gift of His Son are proof that God’s love is already yours. Therefore, Advent begins right where salvation begins. It begins by bathing you and the entire Christmas celebration in God’s great love.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
II. The Second Great Theme of Advent is Hope
A] Notice then at its very heart, Advent speaks to/guarantees God’s future and ongoing faithfulness. How? Simply put, the God who was faithful to keep His promise that the Messiah would come is the same God who will be equally faithful to keep His promise that the Messiah will return– and not just return, but bring with Him the fullness of the salvation He accomplished for us
Hebrews 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
B] Notice the result: the ongoing hope of Advent assures me that the God who was faithful to send His Son to accomplish salvation for me will be faithful to complete that salvation in me. Therefore, I can trust God right now today with my walk, my struggles, and the very details of my life, knowing that God’s plan will not fail and He will never let go.
Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
III. The Third Great Theme of Advent is Preparation
A] However, please note: very often we think of Advent as the season during which we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas (which is true). However, on a deeper level, Scripture tells us that it is actually God who is doing the preparation and we are the ones being prepared (it is to that which the 3rd candle/theme points).
· Think about it, on the most basic level, Advent reminds me that throughout the Old Testament God was preparing a people to whom and through whom the Messiah would come into the world.
Genesis 26:4 “And I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and I will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; (Luke 1:17)
· Today, Advent reminds me that God is once again preparing a people for the arrival of His Messiah (this time the second coming). Not only that, once again God is preparing the world through His people (Jesus says, “You are the light of the world” “Go make disciples of all the nations”). Notice the result: right now today, God is preparing you for His Kingdom: forgiving you, cleansing you, and renewing you that you might be His child and He your God forever.
Revelation 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Bottom line: at its most basic level, Advent is about God preparing a Savior, a salvation, and a people to be His own.
IV. The Fourth Great Theme of Advent is Joy
A] The fourth week in Advent reminds me that the approach of Christ’s birth is to fill my heart with great Joy. However, it is not just any joy. Rather, it is to fill me with the joy of a captive who has been set free; of one who was sick, and has just been miraculously and suddenly healed; and of the guilty who has been washed clean and made beautiful once again. Simply put: it is the joy of one profoundly rescued.
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are overwhelmed with trouble
Bottom line: the whole of Advent: its love, joy, preparation, and hope has been fulfilled in the gift of God’s own Son (what Advent promises, the manger fulfills). Notice then how I am to respond:
Luke 1:46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,