Advent is a season that looks backward to the coming of Jesus, born as a baby to a virgin mother, Mary. The incarnation of the long-expected Messiah was of such consequence that even our notion of time--our marking of days and years--is permanently categorized by this singular, world-altering event. There were the days and years before Christ (BC), and now there are the years of our Lord (anno Domini, or AD). The Christmas season is a celebration of the Son of God who took upon flesh and drew near for the salvation of His people.

Advent is a season that looks forward to the coming (again) of Jesus, the resurrected Savior and King. There is coming a day, in the fullness of God's timing, when Jesus will return to finish His work of making all things new (Rev. 21:5). As sure as He came in a manger, Jesus is coming again in glory. Until that day, we wait well for our redemption that draws near.

Part of waiting well is celebrating rightly: remembering with reverence, waiting with expectation, working out our sanctification, and living with confident hope. During the month of December, stay tuned for Advent meditations to help our hearts rejoice in the God who is indeed with us.

Advent definition taken from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.