Looking Forward at Advent and Every Day
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” (Isa. 7:14 CSB)
I think one thing we can all agree on is that 2020 has left a lot to be desired. I don’t think anyone thought, when the ball dropped on December 31, 2019, that this is what was in store. Because of this dumpster fire of a year, everyone seems to be looking forward to the Christmas season more than usual.
Christmas is my favorite time of year, anyway, but I, too, have been especially looking forward to it this year. Usually, our tradition is to decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving, but this year I was ready to get out the Christmas decorations in early November. I was watching Christmas movies in October. I needed a little Christmas, and I wasn’t alone. Houses were lit up and Christmas trees were glowing from windows weeks earlier than normal. With all that 2020 has brought us, we were all looking for a reason to celebrate—we all wanted something to look forward to.
That is exactly what the season of Advent is: a looking forward. From the Latin adventus, which means arrival, Advent is the time to prepare for the celebration of the arrival of the Messiah. Traditionally, the four Sundays before Christmas are observed with the focuses of hope, faith, joy, and peace, respectively.
This looking forward, this anticipation, this hope, faith, joy, and peace are what we desperately need in 2020.
Good news—we have it, and not just at Christmas.
Jesus came to earth as a baby, lived as a human, performed miracles, died on the cross, rose again, and ascended into heaven.
But that is not the end of the story. While we are here, waiting for his return, he did not leave us alone. He is here with us, just as he promised. One of my favorite groups of verses is when Jesus is talking to his disciples before he leaves for heaven:
The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:16-20 CSB)
How comforting to know that Jesus is always with us. The CSB translation says Jesus is with us to the end of the age; the KJV says to the end of the world; The Message states, “I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age” (emphasis mine). Whatever translation you read, it’s pretty clear: Jesus is in it for the long haul. He is not leaving us. The Christmas decorations, music, and movies are fun and a much-needed change of pace for all of us. But even without all the trappings, even with (especially with) all the upheaval of 2020, Jesus is with us.
Things look different now; the way we interact, the way we move through the world outside our doors is different now. But Jesus is constant. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and he is always with us. Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God. These truths about Jesus are the true throughout everything we experience. Through all the troughs and peaks of our lives, Jesus is there for us.
As we are looking forward to the celebrations of his birth over the next few weeks, let’s not forget that he is always with us and he always will be. We can be looking forward to Jesus every day.
Dear Lord, Thank you for your Son. Thank you for sending us a Savior. As we celebrate his birth during this Christmas season, help us to remember to celebrate him in our everyday lives as well. Help us to remember this indescribable gift. Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa. 9:6 CSB)
See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” (Matt. 1:23 CSB)
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (Rev. 22:13 CSB)
Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Heb. 13:5-6 CSB)
Reach for More
I encourage you to celebrate—and celebrate big—this Christmas season in every way you can. Then, when Christmas is over, let’s carry the celebration of Jesus into the new year. Let’s continue looking forward to his goodness and mercy. Let’s remember to put him first in our lives. Let’s reach out to him with everything, the good and the bad. Consider keeping a prayer and praise journal in 2021 so you can have visible, tangible proof for yourself of how the Lord is working in your life.
is a writer, blogger, and middle school teacher. She and her husband live in Georgia with their three children. In addition to teaching and writing, Dana loves to read, paddle board, and sometimes run. She blogs about faith, family, and enjoying the everyday life at danaherndon.com.
Photograph © Felix Mittermeier, used with permission
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