Advent is a season of waiting. Possibly unlike any other time of our lives, this year very few of us have to imagine what waiting looks like. With a pandemic that has exacted unprecedented destruction on the human family, economic uncertainty, war being waged and rumors of coming wars around the planet, and economic uncertainty – we long for relief. And so we collectively sing: “come”.
In every season the church prays “come”, but even more, “Come Lord Jesus!” That’s the song of advent, and it’s one that affirms what the prophets of old saw and welcomed from a distance and the hope of our generation as well: that thrill of hope, that day when the weary world rejoices.
But our waiting grows impatient, our attention gives way to abandoning our post. So the advent season also serves as a time of preparation, an opportunity to rekindle and return to our first love – and God doesn’t disappoint. Our greatest effort, even our greatest longings, is outdone by God’s great faithfulness. And in God’s grace we are readied for that coming day when we “also will be revealed with [Christ] in glory” (Colossians 3:4b).
So come and join us this Advent as together we sing, “Come Lord Jesus!”
Our Advent worship services and preaching series draw on readings following the Revised Common Lectionary each week. Readings for the season include:
November 27
December 4
December 11
December 18
To support your preparation throughout the season, the Advent devotional The Promised One, which features articles and devotional questions by Christianity Today contributors and editors, will be available for FREE. Look for print copies (while they last) at the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings beginning mid-November as well as the link to download a digital copy on Realm.
