During the Christmas Season, the liturgical church celebrates as to what is referred as "The Advent Season".
Advent...it's a word kind of like Lent...just not sure what it really means. I watched a video recently where they asked different children on what Advent was, and one child responded: "Isn't it some type of medicine?"...mixing up Advent with the word Advil.
The Season of Advent within the Christian church has been around for centuries...dating back to the late 500's A.D. It's purpose is similar to that as the Season of Lent: a time to reflect, and most importantly...a time to rest. Lent is a time when we examine our own lifestyles through prayer and sometimes fasting, while the Advent Season within the church is a time to reflect on...Hope, a time to share our meals, and a time to simply enjoy one another's company.
Advent is a Latin word..."Adventus", and means arrival, or in the church it is: the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. One thing that connects Advent and Christmas is the fact that although we do celebrate the Christ Child...coming to Bethlehem...and becoming one of us, Advent also serves as a reminder our Lord Jesus Christ is returning...to get us!
Actually, St. Jerome of the Roman Catholic church translated the Sacred Scriptures into Latin, known as the Latin Vulgate, and used the word "adventus" from the original Greek word "Parousia".
In the New Testament, the word "parousia" is found 24 times in the original Greek documents. 6 times this word is used in reference to someone actually planning to arrive somewhere, 1 time in reference to the anti-christ, and...17 times in reference to Christ Jesus returning...to get His church! The New Testament letters themselves (those of St. Paul, Peter, James, etc) never mention about celebrating the birth of Christ in Bethlehem...but do mention numerous times of His 2nd Coming. Of course the Gospels do describe how Jesus came to us...in a manger.
Advent now...in 2012? What do we do? I mean it seems like Christmas is hard enough anymore to distinguish it's true meaning...and what are we to do about Advent?
It is so easy to get entrapped in the "World of Christmas"...buying gifts and kind of a "keep it movin'" way of thinking.
Christmas is easy to get caught up in doing our best to make others happy, show appreciation for one's presence in our lives, to give more focus on those we see in need, or volunteering for good causes within our own communities.
Yet, the Advent Season whispers to each of us...rest...reflect...and allow yourself time to gather your own personal thoughts of what others mean to you, a time to simply enjoy one another.
We are bombarded this time of year with the marketing strategies known as Black Friday...which now bleeds into Early Thursday, then the 3 day week-end sales...and of course Cyber Monday.
We are reminded that because of the blending of various cultures within America it is more "respectful" to say "Happy Holidays"...instead of the age old Christmas greeting of "Merry Christmas". Some have become quite vocal on writing "Christmas" rather than "X-mas"..."you are taking the Christ out of Christmas" we are told. (By the way, the "X" is of Greek origin and is the Christian symbol for Christ.)
And of course, we have pretty "one-liners" to tug at our heart and give us a conviction...or a guilt...about celebrating Christmas. "Christmas is a time to let your hearts...do the thinking!" or "Christmas isn't just a season...it's a feeling!"
What really makes Christmas "close to home" is the use of Christmas Scriptures! "Christmas is a time when it is more blessed to give than to receive." (partial verse from the Book of Acts.) The beautiful nativity scenes of of the "Babe born in a manger" as described from the Gospels.
Scriptures you will not hear this time of year are: St Paul's advice out of Philippians stating "I am content...whether I am barely suffice or whether I have plenty", or in Hebrews where Paul states: "Keep yourself from the love of money".
Nor will you hear from the Gospels themselves: St. Matthew declaring: "Seek first His Kingdom...and then all these things will be there for you!" After all, we are not really looking for a Kingdom during the Christmas season...just a good deal on a coat...or a pair of socks.
St. Luke says: "Guard yourself against the want of things...for a man's life is not made up by the abundance of gifts or possessions he/she accumulates...".
These verses are not good to use during the Christmas Season...at least now...in 2012! (lol).
And don't even quote the very famous Psalm...Psalm 23, which says: "The Lord is my Shepherd...I shall...not want."
In all seriousness...of course Christmas is a time of giving...and the numerous outreaches and services provided during this time of year are a blessing to many.
I think the Advent Season within the church is reminding us: 1. the Christ-Child did come..and was born in a manger....He became...one of us! 2. Christ Jesus, upon returning to His Father after completing His Work here on the Cross...reminds us...He is coming back!...and He is coming back to get...us! and 3. Before you make your plans as to how you wish to participate and celebrate Christmas in 2012....seek Him first...and this will be the best Christmas ever!
Advent...it's a word kind of like Lent...just not sure what it really means. I watched a video recently where they asked different children on what Advent was, and one child responded: "Isn't it some type of medicine?"...mixing up Advent with the word Advil.
The Season of Advent within the Christian church has been around for centuries...dating back to the late 500's A.D. It's purpose is similar to that as the Season of Lent: a time to reflect, and most importantly...a time to rest. Lent is a time when we examine our own lifestyles through prayer and sometimes fasting, while the Advent Season within the church is a time to reflect on...Hope, a time to share our meals, and a time to simply enjoy one another's company.
Advent is a Latin word..."Adventus", and means arrival, or in the church it is: the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. One thing that connects Advent and Christmas is the fact that although we do celebrate the Christ Child...coming to Bethlehem...and becoming one of us, Advent also serves as a reminder our Lord Jesus Christ is returning...to get us!
Actually, St. Jerome of the Roman Catholic church translated the Sacred Scriptures into Latin, known as the Latin Vulgate, and used the word "adventus" from the original Greek word "Parousia".
In the New Testament, the word "parousia" is found 24 times in the original Greek documents. 6 times this word is used in reference to someone actually planning to arrive somewhere, 1 time in reference to the anti-christ, and...17 times in reference to Christ Jesus returning...to get His church! The New Testament letters themselves (those of St. Paul, Peter, James, etc) never mention about celebrating the birth of Christ in Bethlehem...but do mention numerous times of His 2nd Coming. Of course the Gospels do describe how Jesus came to us...in a manger.
Advent now...in 2012? What do we do? I mean it seems like Christmas is hard enough anymore to distinguish it's true meaning...and what are we to do about Advent?
It is so easy to get entrapped in the "World of Christmas"...buying gifts and kind of a "keep it movin'" way of thinking.
Christmas is easy to get caught up in doing our best to make others happy, show appreciation for one's presence in our lives, to give more focus on those we see in need, or volunteering for good causes within our own communities.
Yet, the Advent Season whispers to each of us...rest...reflect...and allow yourself time to gather your own personal thoughts of what others mean to you, a time to simply enjoy one another.
We are bombarded this time of year with the marketing strategies known as Black Friday...which now bleeds into Early Thursday, then the 3 day week-end sales...and of course Cyber Monday.
We are reminded that because of the blending of various cultures within America it is more "respectful" to say "Happy Holidays"...instead of the age old Christmas greeting of "Merry Christmas". Some have become quite vocal on writing "Christmas" rather than "X-mas"..."you are taking the Christ out of Christmas" we are told. (By the way, the "X" is of Greek origin and is the Christian symbol for Christ.)
And of course, we have pretty "one-liners" to tug at our heart and give us a conviction...or a guilt...about celebrating Christmas. "Christmas is a time to let your hearts...do the thinking!" or "Christmas isn't just a season...it's a feeling!"
What really makes Christmas "close to home" is the use of Christmas Scriptures! "Christmas is a time when it is more blessed to give than to receive." (partial verse from the Book of Acts.) The beautiful nativity scenes of of the "Babe born in a manger" as described from the Gospels.
Scriptures you will not hear this time of year are: St Paul's advice out of Philippians stating "I am content...whether I am barely suffice or whether I have plenty", or in Hebrews where Paul states: "Keep yourself from the love of money".
Nor will you hear from the Gospels themselves: St. Matthew declaring: "Seek first His Kingdom...and then all these things will be there for you!" After all, we are not really looking for a Kingdom during the Christmas season...just a good deal on a coat...or a pair of socks.
St. Luke says: "Guard yourself against the want of things...for a man's life is not made up by the abundance of gifts or possessions he/she accumulates...".
These verses are not good to use during the Christmas Season...at least now...in 2012! (lol).
And don't even quote the very famous Psalm...Psalm 23, which says: "The Lord is my Shepherd...I shall...not want."
In all seriousness...of course Christmas is a time of giving...and the numerous outreaches and services provided during this time of year are a blessing to many.
I think the Advent Season within the church is reminding us: 1. the Christ-Child did come..and was born in a manger....He became...one of us! 2. Christ Jesus, upon returning to His Father after completing His Work here on the Cross...reminds us...He is coming back!...and He is coming back to get...us! and 3. Before you make your plans as to how you wish to participate and celebrate Christmas in 2012....seek Him first...and this will be the best Christmas ever!
No comments:
Post a Comment