Advent and the Great Adventure

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For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.
--Isaiah 9:6-7

I have a fondness for words and every now and then I enjoy immersing myself in the rabbit trails of thought that stir. So, when I started thinking about Advent, I found myself on one of those rabbit trails. A trail lined with the stepping stones of other words like adventure and then venture.

The birth of Christ was the beginning an epic adventure, but that adventure requires us to venture.

The word advent means a coming into being. For the Christian, Advent points to the coming of Christ.

“And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end . . .”

I’ve signed up for some trips and guided tours looking for adventure. And there have been more than a few times when I showed up to find a guide that, well . . . didn’t instill much confidence. This is not so with Christ. He is our perfect guide through this fallen world. He is our only guarantee that at the end of our journey, we will reach the other side, our final destination of eternity with God.

What an adventure He offers when we sign up for the Jesus tour of life.

Adventure is defined as an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks or an exciting or remarkable experience. That just about sums up the Christian life with the exception that through Scripture the risks are known, and the danger has been defeated at the foot of the Cross.

Because of the Advent of Christ.

And then comes the word venture with means to proceed, especially in the face of danger.

Without a willingness to venture, there is no adventure, rendering the Advent of Christ meaningless.

If we weren’t saved by Christ’s first arrival to live in anticipation of His second arrival, then our lives would be nothing more than a dull, pointless plodding through the days between our birth and death.

But Advent means that there is more—so much more—intended for us.

Jesus stepped down from His divinity to take on the form of a helpless human infant who would grow up to die a terrible death as propitiation for our sins. He didn’t do this to invite us on a small and insignificant adventure. He did this that we might join in His work of the salvation of mankind.

He made us worthy of the fight, equipped us with everything we need, and secured the victory. When He comes again, the Advent of His Second Coming, will He find us venturing forth in the epic adventure He’s invited us on?

For me, though my time with Daybreak Devotions has been a blessing, my adventure now leads me in a different direction for the coming season. If you'd like to know what I'm up to, please visit www.lorialtebaumer.com.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What comes to mind when you think of Advent?

2. Have you ever considered your Christian faith is meant to be an adventure?

3. What adventure might God be inviting you on in this season?