Advent: 26 Days to Go
The word "advent" means the arrival of something or someone that has been long awaited. This arrival is usually momentous and usually changes everything as a result. In Christianity, the word has come to represent the time of the year when Christians celebrate the coming to the earth of Jesus, God's Son, which was certainly long awaited, certainly momentous and which certainly changed everything.
For many Christians, the concept of Advent is more quiet and passive than loud and active. While they may prayerfully search their hearts and ask God to make them more attuned to the coming of Christ, they may not consider just what that coming might mean for them.
The English word "advent" comes from the Latin "adventus," meaning "coming." This is also the root of the English word "adventure," which means to take events as they come and implies at least some risk on the part of the "adventurer." When taken in this context, the Christian concept of Advent changes from one of quiet receptivity to one of bold and daring action. So is the manner in which God brought His Son into history and into our lives--certainly the greatest adventure of all. This Advent season, we will recount that adventure...
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
--John 1:-5 KJV Bible
Before time began, Christ was. In verse 1, The Apostle John describes the Christ using the Greek "logos," which means word, thought, concept, and the all the expressions thereof. In the Old Testament, this concept conveyed activity and revelation. Normally in the Greek thought, "logos" expressed the idea of reason and creative control. Here, John is emphasizing revelation. Jesus is all that God is and the expression of Him. John tells us that in the beginning the Word (Christ) was "with God"--Christ was in communion with God and yet distinct from God. John also tells us that Christ "was God"--Christ was, and is, identical in essence with God.
Christ was the active force in the work of creation. In verse 3, John says that all things "were made by Him." In his Letter to the Colossians (Colossians 1:16), the Apostle Paul says that all things were created, both in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, all powers and all authorities were made by Him and for Him.
Christ is life and light. John uses these words in his Book several times (John 8:12; 9:5; 11:25; 14:6). John's use of "light" implies revelation which reveals the "life" that is in Christ and which brings into judgment those who refuse it. For example, Jesus took to task Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, when he secretly met with Jesus and expressed his confusion in the concept of being "born again" (John 3:3-21). In John's use, "life" denotes salvation and deliverance, based on Christ's atonement. John goes on to explain that though the "darkness" tried, it was not able to overcome the light.
Tomorrow, we will dig further into the adventure of Jesus and the witness of His earthly relative, John the Baptist.
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For many Christians, the concept of Advent is more quiet and passive than loud and active. While they may prayerfully search their hearts and ask God to make them more attuned to the coming of Christ, they may not consider just what that coming might mean for them.
The English word "advent" comes from the Latin "adventus," meaning "coming." This is also the root of the English word "adventure," which means to take events as they come and implies at least some risk on the part of the "adventurer." When taken in this context, the Christian concept of Advent changes from one of quiet receptivity to one of bold and daring action. So is the manner in which God brought His Son into history and into our lives--certainly the greatest adventure of all. This Advent season, we will recount that adventure...
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
--John 1:-5 KJV Bible
Before time began, Christ was. In verse 1, The Apostle John describes the Christ using the Greek "logos," which means word, thought, concept, and the all the expressions thereof. In the Old Testament, this concept conveyed activity and revelation. Normally in the Greek thought, "logos" expressed the idea of reason and creative control. Here, John is emphasizing revelation. Jesus is all that God is and the expression of Him. John tells us that in the beginning the Word (Christ) was "with God"--Christ was in communion with God and yet distinct from God. John also tells us that Christ "was God"--Christ was, and is, identical in essence with God.
Christ was the active force in the work of creation. In verse 3, John says that all things "were made by Him." In his Letter to the Colossians (Colossians 1:16), the Apostle Paul says that all things were created, both in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, all powers and all authorities were made by Him and for Him.
Christ is life and light. John uses these words in his Book several times (John 8:12; 9:5; 11:25; 14:6). John's use of "light" implies revelation which reveals the "life" that is in Christ and which brings into judgment those who refuse it. For example, Jesus took to task Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, when he secretly met with Jesus and expressed his confusion in the concept of being "born again" (John 3:3-21). In John's use, "life" denotes salvation and deliverance, based on Christ's atonement. John goes on to explain that though the "darkness" tried, it was not able to overcome the light.
Tomorrow, we will dig further into the adventure of Jesus and the witness of His earthly relative, John the Baptist.
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