Advent Words ~ Day 1:Come

 

Advent Words Day 1: Come

"At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:27-28

Today is the first day of Advent 2020. The word advent comes from the Latin word 'adventus', which means arrival or coming. Advent has been called "a two-fold gaze"; looking back we remember that Christ has come, while getting in touch with the longing the Israelites had for the promised Messiah. Looking forward we anticipate Christ's promised return, His Second Coming. Then, as now, the cry of Advent is "Come, Lord, Come".

The anticipation of the Israelites, waiting for the Messiah to save them, is our remembrance. We look back on the events leading up to the birth of Christ, celebrating the arrival of the One they had anticipated and longed for. We join in their anticipation and longing as we look ahead, waiting for Christ's return, when our deepest longing to see Him face to face will be fulfilled. Jesus Christ is both Immanuel - God with us now - and the One who promises, "Yes, I am coming soon." (Revelation 22:20)

Advent is a season of waiting, longing, reflecting, and preparing - all based on the hope we have in Christ. Augustine said,

"The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing. That is our life, to be trained by longing. You do not yet see what you long for, but the very act of desiring prepares you, so that when He comes you may see and be utterly satisfied."

The Advent season is a time to slow down and join with Christ-followers of ages past as we anticipate the Christ's arrival. We, the church, are His bride, and Advent is the time we set aside to prepare for the arrival of our bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life...He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22: 17,20

 

Would you like to join the Advent Words Challenge? Here's how:

• I will post daily Bible study devotions, along with how I responded creatively, on this blog each day beginning today. You can follow this blog by email or there will be daily links to the posts in the Words Challenge Facebook group, which you can join HERE.
• Respond with whatever creative practice you choose: art journaling, mixed media art, scrapbook, photography, digital art, poetry, creative writing, calligraphy - any way you choose! As you take in the Scripture and devotions into your heart and mind, let it sink even deeper as you practice creatively with your hands.
• Join the Words Challenge Facebook group where you can share your art and ideas and join the conversation through the Advent season and beyond.  I host a number of Words Challenges throughout the year. 
• If you belong to the Everyday Journal group/livingyourord2020 that I co-lead with Valerie Sjodin and Bernice Hopper, Advent Words will be our theme for December.
• Share on Instagram and other social media with the hashtag #adventwords2020.

You can download a printable version HERE