The lighting of the Advent candles has been a holiday tradition for much of my life, as it likely has been for many of you. I was always fascinated by the candles flickering during the evening services as a child. And even as an adult, I always enjoyed the families who were chosen to come up front and share the readings, the lighting of that week’s candle, and the prayer.
We can easily fall into the trap of tradition here, and not fully grasp the divine power represented by each candle. Maybe we’re STILL fascinated by the flickering lights.
So, I decided to take a renewed look at this age-old tradition, and do so through the lens of those of us who are grieving a deep loss. But rather than becoming a sad, “woe is me” story, I want to see this loss as Christ intended for us.
First, let’s take a quick look at the meaning of the word “advent.”
As found on dictionary.com:
- The arrival of a notable person, thing, or event
- The first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays
- The coming or second coming of Christ
I’m going to look at meaning #3 today for reasons you’ll soon see.
So that we’re all on the same page, and because this varies from denomination to denomination, I’ll be looking at these four assurances over the next 4 weeks, represented by the four candles: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. Just a side note – I could use a lot more of every one of these after this crazy 2020!
Let’s look this week at HOPE. In the traditional sense of Advent, it represents the hope that Jesus brought to the world when He came to earth as a tiny baby to bring salvation to this sinful people. This season is full of songs and sentiments speaking of this concept. But that’s not what I want to share this week.
I want to delve more deeply into the second portion of the third definition – the second coming (or advent) of Christ.
If you were to ask me, or many others I know who are grieving the loss of loved ones, what is one thought that gives us hope, it would be to see our loved ones again in heaven.
The thought of being reunited with Dale again is what often gets me through my heartbreak. I do understand that being with Jesus will surpass EVERYTHING else once we get there, but for now, just allow me to focus on this earthly relationship!
It’s quite possible that this reunion won’t happen until the day God calls ME home.
But what if Jesus comes back BEFORE I die, or before YOU die? Are you ready? Does it give you great HOPE? Or does it cause you to tremble? Or do you have no opinion whatsoever about it?
We don’t often associate the word “advent” with the Second Coming of Christ, but it’s clearly an Advent of epic proportions! It brings the salvation story full circle from the FIRST Advent when Jesus came as a baby to the SECOND Advent when Jesus returns as a conquering King.
There is not adequate space here to even begin to unpack that whole topic! Or to look deeply into how you can move from fear and trembling, or apathy, into the realm of hope. I’ll include a couple of links at the end of the post for those of you who want to read further.
But briefly, here is just a snippet of what I look forward to in the SECOND coming of Jesus, if I’m still alive to witness it all:
- He comes back as a victorious King to gather His people to Himself.
- The entire world will know that Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world – every knee will bow and every tongue will confess.
- All believers in Christ will now reign with Him in the New Heaven and the New Earth.
- All the promises we read of in Revelation will now be our reality – no more tears or sorrow or pain or suffering or death.
- We will live forever in the presence of God, praising Him with the entire Church of God, including those believing loved ones we’ve longed to see.
I can’t imagine a more HOPEFUL scenario than that, can you? For those of you grieving a deep loss this season, you may feel closer to the HOPELESS end of the spectrum. If so, I would encourage you to switch your focus. Of course, grieve your loss, but don’t live in hopelessness. God’s plan of salvation represented by both Advents is enough to chase those dark clouds away and allow you to focus on the bright future ahead.
So, this Christmas, I would still encourage you to marvel at the hope of this newborn baby, come to save the world, but I would ALSO urge all of us who grieve the loss of someone dear, to focus on the future hope of the SECOND Advent. It makes my heart smile, and I pray it can do the same for you.
Now here are a couple of links for deeper reading.
Happy Advent, everyone!
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20