“Advent.” The word we associate with the time leading up to Christmas is from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming.” Traditionally, it is a period of preparation and anticipation as we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Another way to think of it is a period of waiting.
When I was a child, Christmas could not come soon enough. One year I made a paper candle using alternating horizontal strips of red and green. Every morning I removed one strip to mark Christmas getting closer, not realizing I had essentially created an Advent calendar. I just knew I really wanted Christmas to come.
These days, waiting for Christmas can feel stressful, as the trappings of the holiday season sometimes bring anxiety. It’s also an adjustment when your only child attends college in another state. There’s nothing wrong with being excited about your son coming home, of course, but I’m not sure it’s where God wants my focus. Jesus, as they say, is “the reason for the season.” Special celebrations should flow from that.
What does it mean to “prepare” for the arrival of Christ? For me, it’s about waiting on God. I’ve realized over the years that God often uses periods of waiting to teach me things. He seldom answers my big prayers immediately and uses that time to direct my attention toward Him. It worked this way when I was praying to find a wife, when we were praying to have children, and more recently, when I lost my job a few years ago. Eventually, when the time was right, He led me to this job at CUW–right where I’m supposed to be, at exactly the right time.
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”
–Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
So this Advent season, I’ll do my best to focus fully on Christ and open my heart to what He wants. What is He going to teach me? I can hardly wait to find out. I encourage each of you also to wait for and upon the Lord in this special season.
MIKE ZIMMERMAN
Corporate Communications Manager
About this series
“Advent Anticipation: the arrival of our Savior” is a sampling of biblical meditations composed by members of the CUWAA community. It is our prayer that you will take time during the Advent season to read and reflect upon God’s Word and await the coming of Jesus with newfound enthusiasm and anticipation through the Holy Spirit.