Advent of Christ
Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the second coming. Advent is generally observed towards the end of November and early December, until the day before Christmas. It is a time to reflect on Jesus’s entry into the world, through the lowly beginnings of a virgin girl. The story of Mary demonstrates how God can transform people of insignificance to prominence. Mary was chosen by the Lord to be the mother of Jesus. Not a lot is said about Mary in the Bible, before the angel appeared to her with the announcement. Scripture lets us know that she was a virgin who lived in Nazareth, a city in Galilee. She was engaged to marry Joseph who was of the House of David.
Mention was made of the angel appearing in the sixth month, which was perhaps the sixth month of the Jewish year, or six months from the time when the angel told Zacharias that his wife and her cousin Elizabeth, would also have a child. The angel’s greeting startled Mary. “And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”” (Luke 1:28) The angel reassured Mary that she had found favor with God, and would conceive a child who she would name Jesus. She was told that He would be great. He would be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord would give Him the throne of His father David. “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:33) Mary had questions about this conception, since she was still a virgin.
She was given a promise that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, the power of the Highest would overshadow her and she would conceive. This was so that the child that she would conceive, would be called the Son of God. The angel also told Mary, that her elder cousin Elizabeth, was already six months pregnant. Elizabeth was called barren and was past child bearing age. The angel shared this with Mary to prove that nothing is impossible with God. She embraced the angel’s announcement and from then, she became expectant for the Lord’s miracle. She also visited Elizabeth to confirm what the Lord had said. “And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41)
Elizabeth shouted a blessing to Mary, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’ (Luke 1:42) She questioned why it had been granted unto her that the mother of the Lord should come to her. She told Mary that as soon as the baby in her womb heard her voice, the baby leaped for joy. She blessed Mary’s faith which caused the fulfilment of the things she was told by the Lord. We are not sure how Elizabeth knew about the promise to Mary and whether this was revealed to her by an angel or the Holy Spirit. Mary burst out in singing, magnifying the Lord and rejoicing in Him. She was humbled that God considered her lowly state and declared that forever, all generations would call her blessed. She blessed the Lord for doing great things for her and showing mercy to everyone who fears him. She sang of the strength of the Lord, who scatters the proud and their imaginations. “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.” (Luke 1:52)
This is a season of expectancy, where like Mary, we wait for a visitation from God. It’s easy to get swept up in the busyness of work, celebrations, gifts and fun. There’s a reason for this season, which should not be lost in commercialism and sensationalism. The devil hates the name of Jesus and has from the beginning of time, tried to remove his name from entertainment, schools and other places of influence. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church and every knee will bow to confess the name of Jesus. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9) We reflect on Jesus’s birth to remember His sacrifice for mankind and to keep in mind His second coming. His final entrance will not be as an infant in a stable, but he will return triumphant like lightning, with a shout and the voice of an archangel and a trumpet. (1 Thessalonians 4:26)
Questions for Reflection:
1. Does the miracle of Jesus' birth to Mary as a virgin, fill you with the hope of God’s ability to do the impossible?
2. What are you hoping for in this season that you can trust God, wait in His presence, and believe Him to provide?
3. Do you believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ and how are you preparing for His return?
