Since around the 4th century the church has observed advent in many different ways. For some it is a family tradition done with their children. Some churches observe it very strictly every year. Our church has observed it in the past in a very organized fashion and many years in a less organized fashion. In the past few years it has become much more of an observance among evangelicals, including Baptists.
Theologically it has its foundation in Christian hope. The basis of our hope being the coming among us of Jesus Christ. We are not saved and redeemed because we successfully came to Him, but because He came to us.
For centuries the people of Israel awaited their Anointed One, the Messiah. They anxiously anticipated release from bondage and being displaced, and the hope of what the Messiah would bring to them.
Honestly, for the church, the coming of Christ the Messiah means even more. In the actual coming of Christ as "the Word made flesh," our hope is not diminished but actually intensified. We don't become unengaged because of His presence, but instead we experience a holy joy, and a peace-filled excitement about God's presence in our lives and in our world. Our lives are shaped by Advent hope. Christ has come into our world; Christ comes into our lives as we invite Him in; Christ will come again in all His glory and in the meantime He continually comes into our lives confronting us with the challenge to follow Him completely.
He came, He comes, He will come again! We rejoice in this season of advent leading to Christmas, rejoicing for "our redemption draweth nigh"! Hallelujah! mjm
