Sunday, November 27, 2016

Advent - Why We Celebrate

As Thanksgiving break draws to an close, I'm back at home in Moscow.  This past week has been one of the best of the year.  Not only did I need the R&R, but it reminded me exactly why I am so excited for this season.  We celebrated the first Sabbath of Advent yesterday with a delicious feast prepared by my mom.  This is one of the many traditions that my family has when it comes to celebrating the beginning of Advent.  

When some people learn that Advent is a month long, it raises a few red flags.  Not only does it seem to be an extraordinary long time for a celebration, but you also get tired of listening to Christmas music before you even get to Christmas itself.  It seems quite a lead up for just one day.  Not only that, but it spearheads the rest of the celebrations.  From Christmas itself  all the way through Easter.  Half the year seems to be spent in celebration.  And one may think to oneself: Isn't that a bit much?

Let's take a look at the big picture. the beginning of time found man in perfect harmony with God.  But not satisfied with his condition, man broke covenant with God and fell from His presence.  Not to be deterred, a Savior was promised:  "The Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.  I will put enmity between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."  (Genesis 3: 13-14)

But man would not wait, so they broke away from God.. continually  Despite this, two thousand years ago, God fulfilled His promise, and sent His Son.  His perfect Son.  Infallible, all-loving, omniscient Jesus Christ, one of the Trinity.  This was the One who humiliated Himself so much that He became a man.  The Man.  The mark of His Incarnation is the mark of a promise fulfilled.  His birth represents life.  That is why we spend nearly half the year in celebration.  Because He lives.  And we live in Him.

That seems worthy of celebration to me.


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