(From the heart of Robbie Hunt)

advent

Advent (capital A) = the coming of Christ into the world

advent (lowercase a) = coming into place, view or being; arrival

What advent are you anticipating in this Advent season? Where is Jesus coming into your view in some new way?

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. ” (Revelation 19:11-16)

Babies astound me. They’re so perfect. So precious. So full of potential. They inspire hope and wonder. I can’t imagine what Mary felt as she looked at her son and felt the emotions all mothers feel . . . and so much more. Knowing her son carried the hope of the world in His tiny body.

It’s astounding to think of Jesus leaving Heaven to become one of us. But what’s even more astounding to me in this Advent season is that the baby in the manger–perfect as He was–did not stay in the manger; he grew into a man who hung on a cross. But He didn’t stay on the cross either; He returned to His place with the Father and will come again riding on a white horse with eyes blazing and “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” written on His robe and thigh.

In this Advent season of 2017, I feel some discontent. My own life is busy and sometimes hard; some of those I love are facing challenges they don’t seem to be able to overcome. The world around us feels increasingly violent and threatening.

We need an advent. We need to experience Jesus in some new way in our lives; we need for Him to take His rightful place in some new corner of our hearts. We need to remember that the baby in the manger is coming back as a warrior, and He has many adventures ahead for us.

What new adventure does Jesus have for you in 2018?