Watching and Waiting

We are in the season of Advent. It is a season of watching and waiting. For Christians it is a time of looking back and looking forward. We look back to the first Advent, we look forward to the second Advent . There are 4 Sundays in advent and there is disagreement on the meaning of each Sunday. Most denominations seem to be in consensus about the meaning of the final two Sundays that represent joy and love. Disagreement comes in the meaning of the first two Sundays. For some the first Sunday represents faith for others it represents hope, for me I think it can represent both. When we look back at the people of ancient Israel they had to have faith but God would fulfill his promise. They had to have hope in God. As we look forward to the second advent we know there are hope is in Jesus Christ who died for us. And we have to have faith in the promise Of the coming of the second Advent . we have to have faith that Jesus will keep his promise and that he will return.

The second Sunday of Advent Represents hope or peace depending on who you talk too. Have already discussed the reason for hope so let’s look at peace. As the ancient Jewish people look forward to Advent , as they watched and waited they knew that the coming of the Messiah would bring peace , the prophet Isaiah I promise this when he said:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And The will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

As we look forward to the second advent we know that the prince of peace will bring peace to all the world. There will be no more dying , no more crying , no more pain , and no more sorrow. The King will sit on his throne and all those who have accepted him will spend eternity of joy and peace with him.

The third Sunday is the Sunday of joy. As the ancient Hebrews looked forward to the coming of the first advent they knew that the Messiah bring with him joy. When the Angels made the announcement to the shepherds they said we bring you tidings of great joy. The joy came in the fulfillment of the promise, The Messiah had come the time of watching and waiting was over. As we look forward to the second advent we know that there will be great joy for all of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior.

The fourth Sunday is love. For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son.Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to suffer , he was willing to give his life so that we could have an opportunity for Salvation , and because of that sacrifice all who except Jesus will live. The ancient Hebrews watched and waited , and eventually The time of waiting ended and Jesus came. We are also in a time of watching and waiting. We watch and we wait for the second advent the second coming of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. With the first advent he came as a child born in the Manger. With the second advent he will come as a mighty King , an old one a glorious day that will be.