For most of my Christian life, I’ve celebrated Advent (which means arrival) as it relates to the incarnate Jesus. All month long, I anticipate the coming of the Christ child. It’s beautiful, and it’s my favorite time of the year.
This past Sunday at our church, after hearing a sermon about Thanksgiving, we transitioned to Advent near the end of the service. A family read a portion of scripture, lit the first Advent candle, and we sang two Christmas hymns, one of which was “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” And it prompted me to think not just about the first advent in the form of the incarnation but also the second advent as it relates to the second coming of Christ.
We’re waiting for something that already happened while also anticipating something that hasn’t happened yet. The second will build on the first. We know he’s already come in the form of a baby, and his coming allowed for our salvation. Now we, as pilgrims, wait with certainty for his second coming. He came once, so he’ll come again, just as he promised.
As I contemplate that, it gives me a fuller picture of Christmas.
I’ll be the first to admit to a sentimentality toward the holiday. It reminds me of my grandma’s homemade chocolate chip cookies she hid in cookie tins until the big day. And it reminds me of gift exchanges at my grandparents’ home – one of which ended in a wrapping paper ball fight, and another where my dad and I exchanged gifts only to find out we’d given each other the same book.
After I became a Christian in my mid-twenties, Christmas Eve worship services became a highlight for me. There’s something awe-inspiring about lowering the lights and sitting in quiet wonder over the Creator of the universe stepping into humanity to save us. The church I’ve attended for fourteen years has a Christmas Eve candlelight service. We often close the service in darkness, except for the lit candles, singing “Silent Night.” Even now, I’m looking forward to that.
As much as I love the sentimentality and the wonder of celebrating the incarnation, I find myself now tuning my ears for the sound of the trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16), signifying Christ’s return. This Advent, I’m learning to live between the two advents – celebrating the baby in the manger and the King on the throne, honoring what has happened while longing for what will be. Come again, Lord Jesus.
