Advent: What are you waiting for?

Every year at some point in late October or early November I make a resolution: ‘This year I’m going to do Christmas better. I will slow things down, I’ll be better prepared, and I won’t be consumed by gift giving, card writing and event attending. This Advent won’t be about chocolate calendars or hectic schedules but it will be a season in which I truly reflect on the coming of Christ – Immanuel, God with us. I’ll spend time in wonder and will gain fresh revelation from the familiar scriptures and songs.’ 

And yet here we are, already I’ve forgotten to buy an Advent calendar, the list of shopping to do still looms large, and I spent a good 30 minutes inputting Christmas events from school, church and work into my diary this week. How do we make this season of waiting, and preparation less about parties and presents and more about aligning our hearts again to the hope that is found in the birth of Jesus? 

I was informed by my 9 year old this morning that Advent in Latin means ‘Coming.’

John 1:9 reads: ‘The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.’

John tells us that something was coming, someone was coming – the light was coming into the world. 

The picture of an expectant mother waiting to give birth is helpful for this Advent season of reflection. If we track with the characters of the first Christmas, Mary was awaiting the arrival of her son, plans and preparations had been made and remade. Babies are unpredictable things –  you don’t know when or where they’ll make an appearance (and trust me, I know this from experience!) But once they have arrived, you certainly know about it. Everything is changed. Forever. 

And so it is with Jesus’ arrival – he didn’t just change the lives of his parents, he changed the whole of human history. With him came light, life, hope and freedom. He was born, he lived, he died and rose again and he is coming back. So, in fact, Advent isn’t just a season that we celebrate once a year, it should be a lifestyle that we operate out of our whole lives. 

Like expectant parents, we have work to do to be prepared for Christ. Mary gives us some insight in her beautiful song how we can do this. Luke 1: 46-55 says, 

‘And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”’

Praise

Firstly, Mary praises God – she recognises who he is. Her soul and her spirit cry out to him, she is overwhelmed by what he has done for her. 

When was the last time our souls and spirits cried out in praise to God because of what he has done for us? Perhaps the first stage of our preparation this advent could be spend time praising God. Remember what he has done for you – on the cross, at the resurrection, when you first met him and on your journey so far. Be encouraged again by what he is doing in others too – we can’t help but praise when we see God working the lives of others. 

Priorities

Mary reminds us that we serve a just God – one who sets right what is wrong. He scatters the proud and lifts up the humble, he fills the hungry but sends the rich away empty. These are challenging and powerful words. Particularly if we have a sneaky suspicion that we fall into the category of rich and proud. 

During this season of excess, how can we find ourselves hungry again? How can we humble ourselves and get our priorities aligned with God’s? Why not spend some time in repentance – seeking God’s help to follow him, the humble king, to a place of full dependency on him.  

Promise

Finally, Mary reflects on God’s mercy and kindness – on the promises that he has made, and is in the process of fulfilling. What are God’s promises today? Do you know them? Do you stand on them? We forget so easily, doubt so quickly and distract ourselves so completely from God’s ways. This Advent, let’s be reminded again that there is a promise of light for everyone and that there is hope – whatever we, or those around us, are going through.  

This year don’t just throw up your hands and resolve to do better next time. What are you waiting for? Be like Mary – get ready, be expectant and know that as you reflect on all he has done, as you realign your priorities to match with his and as you stand on his promises he is coming.