TRV
AdventPreparing for Christ’s Coming
Introduction
Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year, a four-week season of preparation leading up to Christmas. The word "advent" comes from the Latin adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival." During Advent, believers prepare their hearts to celebrate Christ's first coming in Bethlehem while also anticipating his second coming in glory. This season encompasses four traditional themes: hope, peace, joy, and love. Advent calls us to wake from spiritual slumber, examine our lives, repent of sin, and ready ourselves for the King. It is a season of expectation, longing, and joyful anticipation of the Savior who has come and will come again.
The Prophetic Longing for Messiah
For centuries, God's people awaited the promised Messiah. Isaiah prophesied, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." This child would establish David's throne forever, ruling with justice and righteousness.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
KJV
Isaiah also foretold that a virgin would conceive and bear a son called Immanuel—"God with us." This supernatural birth would be the sign that God himself had entered human history to dwell among his people.
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
KJV
Micah prophesied the specific location of Messiah's birth: Bethlehem Ephratah, though small among the clans of Judah, would be the birthplace of Israel's ruler, whose origins are from ancient times, from eternity. This prophecy affirmed both the Messiah's humble entrance into the world and his eternal pre-existence.
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2
KJV
The psalmist declared, "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." This psalm revealed that the Messiah would be both David's descendant and David's Lord, a paradox resolved only in Jesus, who is fully God and fully man.
Advent Theme One: Hope
Advent begins with the theme of hope. Believers hope for what we do not yet see, waiting with patience. Our hope is not wishful thinking but confident expectation based on God's promises. Christ is our hope, the anchor of the soul, firm and secure.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans 8:24-25
KJV
Paul writes that Christ in us is the hope of glory. This hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and we endure suffering because hope sustains us.
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 1:27
KJV
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:2-5
KJV
The entire creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God, groaning together in the pains of childbirth. We who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. This hope keeps us looking forward, anticipating Christ's return and the restoration of all things.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Romans 8:19-23
KJV
Titus describes our blessed hope as the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself to redeem us from lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. While we wait for this hope to be realized, we live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:13-14
KJV
Advent Theme Two: Peace
The second week of Advent focuses on peace. The Messiah's titles include "Prince of Peace," and his kingdom is characterized by everlasting peace. The angels announced to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased."
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:14
KJV
Jesus is our peace. He has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, creating one new humanity and reconciling both Jew and Gentile to God in one body through the cross. He came preaching peace to those who were far off and peace to those who were near.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Paul exhorts believers not to be anxious about anything, but to make their requests known to God with thanksgiving. The result is that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This peace is not dependent on circumstances but flows from trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Jesus told his disciples, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Christ's peace sustains us through trials, persecution, and uncertainty, anchoring our souls in hope.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
KJV
Advent Theme Three: Joy
The third week celebrates joy. The angel announced to the shepherds, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." The gospel is fundamentally good news that produces joy.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11
KJV
Mary's Magnificat overflows with joy: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Though she was a young, unmarried woman facing social stigma, Mary rejoiced in God's choice to use her in his redemptive plan.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luke 1:46-47
KJV
Paul commands believers to rejoice in the Lord always, repeating for emphasis: "Again I will say, rejoice." This joy is not contingent on favorable circumstances—Paul wrote these words from prison. Christian joy springs from our relationship with Christ, not from external conditions.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
KJV
Jesus taught that his joy would remain in his disciples and their joy would be full. He compared their present sorrow to a woman in labor, who forgets her anguish when the child is born because of her joy. The disciples' grief over Jesus's death would turn to joy at his resurrection—a joy no one could take from them.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 15:11
KJV
A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
John 16:21-22
KJV
The fruit of the Spirit includes joy, which flows from the Holy Spirit's presence in believers' lives. Peter writes of believers who, though they do not now see Jesus, love him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:22
KJV
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 Peter 1:8
KJV
Advent Theme Four: Love
The final week of Advent emphasizes love. Christmas is the ultimate expression of God's love: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The incarnation demonstrates the height, depth, width, and length of divine love.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
KJV
John declares that God is love, and he made his love known by sending his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. God's love is not passive sentiment but active sacrifice.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:8-10
KJV
Paul prays that believers, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ's love, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge. Christ's love is so vast that it exceeds human comprehension, yet we experience it personally and powerfully.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Because God has loved us so extravagantly, we are commanded to love one another. "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." Love is the identifying mark of Jesus's disciples and the fulfillment of the law.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
1 John 4:11
KJV
Preparing the Way of the Lord
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus's first coming, and Advent calls us to similar preparation. Isaiah prophesied, "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." John fulfilled this prophecy, calling people to repentance and preparing them to receive the Messiah.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Isaiah 40:3-5
KJV
John preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He baptized with water for repentance, but one mightier than he would come, baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire. John urged people to bear fruit in keeping with repentance, demonstrating genuine transformation.
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 3:2
KJV
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Matthew 3:11
KJV
Preparing the way of the Lord involves removing obstacles to faith, confessing sin, turning from wickedness, and making our hearts ready to receive Christ. Advent is a season of spiritual inventory, examining whether we are living in light of Christ's coming.
The Second Coming
While Advent primarily focuses on preparing for Christmas, it also directs our attention to Christ's second coming. Jesus will return just as visibly and literally as he departed. Every eye will see him, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1:11
KJV
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1:7
KJV
Paul teaches that the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first, then believers who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. We will be with the Lord forever.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Jesus warned his disciples to stay awake and be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour they do not expect. Like a thief in the night, Christ will return suddenly. Advent cultivates watchfulness, urging us to live each day as if Jesus might return today.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 24:42-44
KJV
Conclusion: Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus
Advent embodies the tension of Christian existence: we celebrate what Christ has already accomplished while eagerly anticipating what he will yet do. We remember his first coming with gratitude and await his second coming with hope. The Advent season prepares our hearts through reflection, repentance, and renewal, ensuring that when Christmas arrives, we are ready to worship the newborn King with informed devotion. As we light the Advent candles—hope, peace, joy, and love—we declare our faith in the One who has come, who is present with us now through his Spirit, and who will come again in glory. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!