A huge topic of controversy in recent years has been when one is allowed to decorate for Christmas. The two main stances in this debate are whenever you want and after Thanksgiving. There are some things I think we can all agree on (I think?) and that’s that having Christmas items in the stores beginning in July is too early. But, the reality is that Christmas doesn’t even start after Thanksgiving, it starts on Christmas Day. From now until Christmas, we are in the season of Advent. Thanksgiving isn’t the only thing shoved aside when we begin Christmas too early, Advent is too. And what does that matter, really?

Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” Advent is an entire season dedicated to these important things:

• Remembering

So many times God charges us to remember what He’s done. He knows we are prone to forget. Advent is no different. In Advent we remember the long-awaited arrival of the Messiah that God promised to His people after the very first sin. (Genesis 3:15) He sent His Only Son into the world for us.

• Assurance

God always keeps His promises. Sending the Messiah like He said He would is no exception. In Advent we have assurance again of our promise-keeper’s track record. It’s perfect.

• Hope

Because we have assurance of God’s promise kept on sending the Messiah in the first place, we also have hope that is both sure and certain that He will send the Messiah again to bring us to be with Him. This is another promise God has made and we know that He will keep it. Advent is a season of hope.

• Expectation

The promise of Jesus to return is referred to as the “second Advent” (or second coming). We wait in joyful expectation just as God’s people awaited the first coming of the Messiah. Expectation is the reason you’ll notice blue is the color of the paraments on the altar during Advent. Blue is the color of the sky to remind us that Jesus is coming again, someday, from the sky into which He ascended.

Let’s celebrate Christmas, sure! But first, let’s pray, let’s meditate, let’s remember with gratitude. Let’s expect and hope with all certainty and assurance. Let’s first, give Advent it’s due, and then turn to the arrival of the Christ child, our Savior, with all the gusto in our beings.

If you need Advent resources to guide your devotional time for yourself or your family, you can find some at Redeemer. Or click the links below: 

• Advent Scripture Chain
• Lutheran Hour Ministries Advent Devotional
• Lutheran Association of Missionary Pilots