Pastor, I Have a Question November 2011

QUESTION: What does Advent mean and when did it get started?
ANSWER: “The dominant idea of Advent is the thought of the Lord’s coming” (Frederick H. Lindemann, The Sermon and the Propers, Vol. 1, p. 29). “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” It is also a translation of the Greek word parousia. In the Bible, parousia points to Jesus’ second coming, His return on the great and terrible day of the Lord.
Advent is not a uniform celebration in Christendom. For the Western Church, Advent marks the start of the church year. Modern Lutherans celebrate the season beginning four Sundays before Christmas.
The Bible does not speak about Advent as a season, just as it does not give us the date of Jesus’ birth. One tradition claims St. Peter to be the first to celebrate Advent, but this cannot be proven.
Advent originally began as a penitential season, preparing people to celebrate Christmas and Epiphany. Christmas (Christ’s Mass—the celebration of Christ’s birth) was not a major celebration during the first three centuries A.D. There is mention of December 25 by some early church fathers. The early church also knew other dates. As early as 300 A.D., the Eastern Church chose to celebrate on January 6, combining Jesus’ birthday celebration and His baptism. According to the Lutheran Cyclopedia, December 25 was first recorded as a Christmas celebration in 336 after Constantine made Christianity a legal religion in the Roman Empire. The Council of Tours 567 A.D. established Advent as a season of fasting prior to Christmas. The church considered it a solemn time of preparation and repentance. The seasonal color is purple (sometimes blue) the same color as the other penitential season of preparation, Lent.
As we listen to the Scripture lessons for the Advent season, we learn for what we are preparing. On the first Sunday in Advent, we hear about Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Just as Jesus entered Jerusalem in humility, He also came in humility in human flesh at Christmas. We prepare for the celebration of His birth. God became Man to reconcile the world to Himself. Jesus lived and died and rose again to reconcile the world. We have peace with God because He is no longer angry with us for Jesus’ sake. Godly wrath was appeased when Jesus died on the cross, because He suffered to pay our debt. Therefore God justifies us by faith.
Jesus continues to come to us through Word and Sacraments. We also celebrate the humble means His Spirit uses to call us to repentance and faith. All around us are temptations to stray from God’s Means of Grace. Many Protestants are taught that Jesus comes to us in other ways apart from His Word and Sacraments. During Advent, we celebrate the way Jesus promises to come.
On the second Sunday in Advent, Jesus prepares us for His second coming when He will return in glory. On that day, the time of grace will end. Those who believe on Jesus and are baptized shall be saved and those who do not believe shall be damned. This is a message of preparation for Christ’s coming on the Last Day.
On the third Sunday in Advent, Jesus speaks about His forerunner. St. John the Baptizer preached, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). We prepare for the Kingdom of God by repentance and faith. We sorrow over our sins and look to the Savior for mercy.
According to Rev. Lindemann, the fourth Sunday in Advent was called “The Preparation.” St. John directs our attention to the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). The more we look at the One who came in humility on Christmas, the better we are prepared for His return in glory. We can join St. John: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
Rev. Charles Keeler
Resurrection Lutheran Church
Winter Haven, FL
cjohnk@aol.com