Tonight’s Call – THE ADVENT SEASON!
WHAT IS ADVENT – https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-advent.html#google_vignette
Advent is a four-week season of reflective preparation for Christ’s Nativity at Christmas and Christ’s expected return in the Second Coming. Each week of Advent focuses on a different theme – hope, peace, joy, and love.
“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“God of hope, I look to you with an open heart and yearning spirit. During this Advent season, I will keep alert and awake, listening for your word and keeping to your precepts. My hope is in you.” ~ Matthew Kelly
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
What Is Advent? It’s History and Meaning
In Christianity, Advent refers to the period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. It begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day) and ends on December 24. It is a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day. Some people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent.
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival,” which translates to the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.
By the 6th century, however, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. The Advent season was not explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas until the Middle Ages.
When is Advent in 2023?
The season of Advent lasts four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Each year, Advent will begin on a Sunday between November 27th and December 3rd. Here are the Advent Sundays for this year, 2023:
First Sunday of Advent – December 3rd (Start of Advent 2023)
Second Sunday of Advent – December 10th
Third Sunday of Advent – December 17th
Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 24th (End of Advent on Christmas Eve
What Does Advent Symbolize?
Advent symbolizes the church’s present situation in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2) as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis, they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s cry during the Advent season:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
While Israel would have sung the song in expectation of Christ’s first coming, the church now sings the song to commemorate the first coming and expects the second coming in the future.
THE BIBLE IS TRUE – BOOK RELEASE SOON – RECOMMENDATIONS
Is the Bible a direct communication from God to mankind? What if it’s true? Eternity is time that never ends and has no limits. It hangs in the balance for each of us. Are there times where each of us think about the cycle of life and death? Is there life after death? You owe it to yourself to answer these questions with utmost sincerity. “After seeing the evidence in this book, “The Bible Is True!” I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist!” – Dr. Frank Turek, author of “Stealing from God” and “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist,” university speaker, CrossExamined.org.
“Science is supposed to be a discipline that helps you search for the truth. Sadly, many of our colleges and universities today are using science to thwart scientific discovery and tell you the answer they want you to believe. Explore what is true for yourself. When you do, I believe you will come to the same conclusion that I and many other engineers, scientists, and philosophers have concluded: God loves you and His Word is the ultimate source of truth.” – Patrick Colbeck, B.S.E. & M.S.E. in Aerospace Engineering, Life Sciences graduate of the International Space University, Space Station senior design engineer, Space Camp instructor, former Michigan State Senator.
“The evidence is overwhelming that God is the author of the Bible by using so many different men to pen the Scriptures over such a long period of time! Rick Warzywak has captured the very essence of this reality in his book, “The Bible Is True!” It is my pleasure to recommend the book to all but especially Christian leaders who need to convey the information to the body of Christ!” – Bishop Larry Jackson, Bethel Outreach International Community, Betheloic.org
“Christianity isn’t just about faith; it’s about facts. Rick’s book will bolster your faith with irrefutable facts. “The Bible Is True!” is perfect for those seeking the right roadmap for life and eternity, and those who want to turbocharge their faith into certainty.” – Janet L. Porter, Faith2Action Ministries
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