Advent

The Advent season is upon us.

Wikipedia defines it this way: Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.

The progression of the season may be marked with an Advent calendar,(our kids have received theirs from Abi's mum, as is her tradition every year, and they are dutifully and joyfully opening each widow, day by day). Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25, the Sunday between November 27 and December 3 inclusive.

Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting of Christians for the second coming of Christ. Many, like our family, have the tradition of creating an Advent wreath. Each week we light a candle representing something leading up to Christ's coming.

Author, pastor John Piper has written several poems ending each with a candle lighting verse. Over the next few weeks as we prepare for the advent of Christ, in his second coming, being reminded of it in the celebration of his 1st coming, I will be serializing some of Pipers Advent poems. The first is the following, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Advent Beauty, by John Piper

November 28, 1982

Tilting on her yearly track
Advent beauty circles back,
Flying faster with the years,
Hardly giving time for tears
First to dry upon the cheek—
Has it been more than a week
In the ground now winter cold?
Has there really been a spring
When the birds began to sing?
Has there been both summer, fall
Since the Baby in the stall
Called us with a Christmas bell
to sing, O Come, Immanuel?
Tilting on her yearly track
Advent beauty circles back,
Flying faster with the years—
Ah, but overtaking fears.
Let the Lord of advent lift
Every care (an early gift!);
See the Savior and the Son
Shine in advent candle one.


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