I discovered advent season when as a minister of music one of the churches I played for recognized it annually. The last Sunday following Thanksgiving until the Sunday before Christmas marks what is observed as advent season.

In it, the birth of Christ is commemorated in each of the five weeks. Each year, the commemoration of Christ’s birth is the culmination of advent season. We do this knowing the end result, yet we do it each year. “Joy to the world, the Lord has come…” we sing. Now that He has come, fulfilled prophecy and returned to the Father, we anxiously await the advent again- the second coming as prophesied in scripture. The joy that greeted the baby born where there was no room has dissipated and saints everywhere now clamor for the earth to “make room for Jesus”. Though there is no room for Him in this world, He has gone to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house. (John 14:2-3).

Paul wrote in Hebrews 10: 37: “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” In Revelation 22:12, Jesus speaks to John saying: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” As believers we are often vexed by the dilemma plaguing our world, but in scripture, we have encouragement, guidance and hope. We are to continuously look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith in these dark times. Not looking for light, but to be light (Matthew 5:16; I John 1:7).

In this season of advent, let us prepare our hearts to not only commemorate the birth of Christ, but to welcome the warmth and living light of Christ into the coldness of this dark world. He has come and is sure to come again. “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

We are not only counting the days until the commemoration of Christ’s birth, we are counting the days, weeks, month and hours until His return. We shall not all sleep, but Christ shall return to judge both the earth (Psalm 98: 9), the quick and the dead (2 Tim. 4:1)! Spend this Christmas season in anticipation of advent!