We know Christmas and Epiphany and Lent and Easter. We know the green season and the end of the church year, but do you recall the beginning of it all? Most don’t. Advent is the forgotten season.
Advent gets lost in the world’s Christmas preparation. From the end of October through Dec. 25, the world is in Christmas mode. The candy is barely consumed, and the jack-o’-lanterns are still smoldering as the marketplace is flooded with candy canes, reindeer and elves. Commercials fill the airwaves, and jolly songs play on the radios. Thanksgiving parades anticipate the man in the red suit and offer him the key to the city.
But what about Advent? Advent is the beginning of the church year. Advent is not Christmas. The 12 Days of Christmas don’t begin until sundown on Christmas Eve. Advent comes first and serves as a time of preparation for the coming Messiah. Advent is all about the coming of the Messiah. Advent is an intentional time of waiting. We wait, and we prepare.
What are we preparing for? Most use the time to prepare for Christmas, but Advent isn’t only about Christmas. While the world is shopping, baking, decorating and partying, the church quietly prepares for the coming King. Yes, we’re preparing for Christmas, but more than that, we’re also preparing to meet our Lord when He returns. And we’re preparing to meet our Lord as He comes to us in his Holy Supper. You see, our God is always coming to us. He promises to come to us as a child. He promises to come to us on the Last Day (or the day of our death), and He promises to come to us with His body and His blood in Communion. He is our coming Messiah.
“O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?” is an Advent hymn and asks the question, “Am I ready to meet Jesus?” So the Advent season focuses our attention on repentance and faith. Advent readies our hearts, not just our homes. A heart ready to meet Jesus is a penitent heart. I need to be ready. I need to repent. I need to believe the gospel. I need to remember why Jesus is born, what He came to do for me. Advent sets before me His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Advent reminds me of John the Baptist preparing the way. Advent sets before me Mary and Joseph so that when Christmas dawns, I welcome my Lord with a faithful heart.
So, let’s not rush into Christmas and forget about Advent. The Savior of the Nations is coming. He comes to save me and you and the world from sin, death and the power of the devil. He came once, born of the virgin. He comes again in glory on the Last Day. And He comes for you and me in the Holy Supper. He is our coming Savior, coming for sinners, coming with grace and blessing in His hand.
Written by Pastor Tony Sikora.
Additional reads by Pastor:
Want in?
CUAA will continue to offer degrees in 2025-26 and beyond. Pursue a degree in healthcare at our North Building with its newly remodeled features and state-of-the-art simulation equipment, or earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education through one of our well-established online programs. The CUAA campus continues to offer a route to a Lutheran Teacher Diploma to help equip Lutheran K-12 schools nationwide with qualified workers. In the near future, Concordia will look to reintroduce additional church work training opportunities in Ann Arbor by building a new vision and model for the undergraduate degree programs here.
Click here to view a full list of the programs Concordia will retain in Ann Arbor. Click below to schedule a visit with an Admissions team member.