In the Bible, Advent refers to the season of preparation and anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. It symbolizes a time of reflection, hope, and waiting for the coming of the Messiah, both in His first advent and His promised return.
Scripture
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Biblical Definition of Advent
The concept of Advent in the Bible goes beyond the simple countdown to Christmas; it encompasses a rich tapestry of spiritual significance that invites believers to enter a period of introspection and renewal. Advent originates from the Latin word “adventus,” meaning “coming” or “arrival,” and throughout the scriptures, this theme resonates powerfully. For instance, Isaiah 40:3 proclaims, “A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” This foreshadowing emphasizes the importance of preparing one’s heart for the coming of the Lord, serving as a metaphor for spiritual readiness and the hope that the divine presence brings.
Moreover, the season of Advent not only anticipates the historical birth of Christ but also looks forward to His second coming. The New Testament echoes this theme, particularly in passages like Revelation 22:12, where Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” This dual focus on both the past and future ignites a sense of urgency and purpose in the believer’s walk with Christ. During Advent, Christians are encouraged to reflect on their lives, seek repentance, and cultivate a deeper relationship with God, thereby embodying the hope and joy inherent in the advent of Christ, both in His first appearance and His promise to return. In this way, Advent serves as a transformative period that bridges the anticipation of Christ’s arrival with the ongoing journey of faith, hope, and love.
In addition to the prophetic foreshadowing found in the Old Testament, the Advent season also invokes themes of waiting and expectation, mirroring the sentiments expressed in various New Testament writings. One notable example can be seen in the Gospel of Luke, where the announcement of Jesus’ birth shifts the narrative towards hope and divine fulfillment. When the angel Gabriel visits Mary, he proclaims that she will conceive the Son of God, an event that signifies the intersection of human history with divine purpose. This moment encapsulates the anticipation that characterizes Advent; it acts as a reminder of God’s promise being realized and calls upon believers to embrace the transformative promise of Christ coming into the world.
Furthermore, the letters of Paul often emphasize the theme of awaiting Christ’s return, inviting the early church to live in a state of anticipation for the final revelation of God’s kingdom. For instance, in Romans 8:19-21, Paul writes about creation eagerly waiting for the revealing of the children of God. This verse exemplifies the foundational aspect of Advent: a collective yearning for redemption and restoration. As believers engage with this anticipation during Advent, they are not only celebrating the nativity but are also reminded of the ongoing journey towards spiritual fulfillment and the eventual establishment of God’s reign. This emphasis on waiting and hope serves to deepen one’s faith and strengthens the communal aspect of Advent, fostering a sense of unity as the faithful prepare their hearts for both the remembrance of Christ’s birth and the promise of His return.
The Anticipation of Christ’s Coming
Advent signifies a period of waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. This season invites believers to reflect on the significance of Christ’s first coming and to cultivate a sense of hope and expectation for His return. It emphasizes the importance of spiritual readiness and the transformative power of Christ in the lives of individuals and communities.
A Time of Reflection and Repentance
Advent serves as a reminder for believers to engage in self-examination and repentance. It encourages a deeper understanding of one’s faith and the need for personal renewal. This period allows individuals to contemplate their relationship with God, fostering a spirit of humility and a desire for spiritual growth as they prepare their hearts for the celebration of Christmas.
The Fulfillment of Prophecy
The season of Advent highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. It connects the anticipation of Christ’s birth with the broader narrative of salvation history, illustrating how God’s promises are realized through Jesus. This aspect of Advent encourages believers to recognize the continuity of God’s plan and the significance of Jesus as the culmination of divine revelation.
How to Cultivate Faith in Daily Life
Cultivating faith in our daily lives is a beautiful journey that requires intentionality and openness to God’s presence in every moment. Start by setting aside time each day for prayer and reflection; even a few quiet minutes can help center your thoughts and invite God into your day. Consider keeping a gratitude journal, where you jot down blessings, big and small, to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness. Surround yourself with a community of believers—whether through a church group, Bible study, or simply friends who share your faith—because encouragement and accountability can strengthen your walk with Christ. Lastly, look for opportunities to serve others, as acts of kindness not only reflect God’s love but also deepen your own faith. Remember, faith is not just a feeling but a choice we make daily, and with each step, we grow closer to the heart of God.
Bible References to the Definition of Advent:
Isaiah 40:3-5: 3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Jeremiah 33:14-16: 14 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”
15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
Micah 5:2-5: 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace.
Zechariah 9:9-10: 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
and the war horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
and he shall speak peace to the nations;
his rule shall be from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Matthew 1:18-25: 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Matthew 3:1-3: 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”
Matthew 24:30-31: 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mark 1:1-3: 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way,”
3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
Luke 1:26-38: 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”
29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.
36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37 For nothing will be impossible with God.
38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 2:8-14: 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
John 1:14-18: 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)
16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
Acts 1:9-11: 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Romans 13:11-14: 11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
1 Corinthians 1:7-9: 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Philippians 3:20-21: 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18: 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10: 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
Titus 2:11-14: 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Hebrews 9:27-28: 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
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.
James 5:7-8: 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
1 Peter 1:13-16: 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
2 Peter 3:10-13: 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
1 John 3:2-3: 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Revelation 1:7-8: 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 22:12-13: 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.