The Latin version of this word literally means, “the coming.” There have probably been many advent occasions in your own life. Do you have children? Pregnancy is the advent of the coming event of birth. Did you work in a long productive vocation? Your advent was more than likely…retirement. Counting the years, weeks and days until your daily work life would end and retirement could begin.

Mary awaited the coming of her miraculously conceived child, a holy infant. Joseph awaited an inexplicable birth, a son to raise as his own. King Herod awaited a challenger to the throne, a king. God’s son was/is coming.

With the Christian season of Advent, for four weeks we hear of this blessed coming. We wait with eager anticipation for the Gospel stories to retell us of Jesus’ birth. The story never gets old. The anticipation never lessens. The “coming” is honored in traditions of expectation.

The holiday season may be peppered with bumper stickers to “leave CHRIST in Christmas,” or viewing seasonal decorations lining each road and store front, or hearing the ringing bells chiming from a Santa, and so much more that herald “the coming” of a winter holiday.

Allow yourself to feel the flutter of excitement, the tingle of anticipation knowing the Advent Season retelling the “coming” of our Lord and Savior is here. Our Lord, who loves you unconditionally, came as an infant to fulfill the prophecy of His advent in our lives.
Feel the joy. Share the excitement. Breathe in His arrival.

Jill