Thoughts on Advent

If you’re a follower of Christ, you most likely celebrate or observe Advent. Hope, peace, joy, and love, all in thoughtful preparation for celebrating our Savior’s birth on Christmas. But since when have we paused to take a look at what each word really, truly means?

Let’s set the stage.

The Nativity story itself takes place during a tumultuous couple of years, when a woman could be stoned for becoming pregnant out of wedlock, and later as Herod put forth a command to eradicate all baby boys in the hopes of likewise eradicating Christ, fearing the child was coming for his crown.

But Mary submitted to the Lord’s insane plan—a virgin birth—knowing that it would cost her, perhaps a lot. Joseph was known as a man who closely observed the Levitical laws, so his decision to take Mary as a wife bent the Laws he observed so tediously. It proved his reverence and faith in God superceded the laws of man.

Not to mention, Mary and Joseph both came from lineage full of very broken people—nowhere near perfect.

Yet, God used those people so His prophecy was fulfilled to complete perfection.

And as a result, we have a Savior who lived and suffered, fully man. He understands and identifies with our weakness, our brokenness, our heartaches. And He loves us completely.

So let’s define Advent.

Hope: A complete three-chord rope to cling to, expecting what is yet to come.
Joy: A complete contentment set apart from our circumstances.
Love: Completely encompassing, unconditional affection.
Peace: Completeness, wholeness, the entirety of peace.

None of these are achieved on our own.

All are given wholly by God alone; the only way these things could truly be complete.

So when we endure hardship, suffering, tumult, circumstances beyond our control…look to the one who is in control. The one who both creates and freely gives that complete hope, peace, joy, and love that we strive for.

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy which states,

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, the blind will see, the oppressed will be set free, and the time of the Lord’s favor has come.

Amen, and I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and New Year as we enter into 2026.