The Advent of Our King

Today, my husband, Bob and I are tag team blogging. He really is the brains and wisdom behind most of what I do. I pray it is a blessing to you as we, two completely different people, team up to share life with you.

I (Mia) grew up in a pretty traditional and liturgical church as did my husband, Bob. There is something nostalgic and comforting about the traditions that come with the liturgical calendar. Right now is one of those times for me as we enter the season of Advent.

This past week as Bob and I were walking along the ocean with our son, he asked us (his wise parents) if Advent was in the Bible to which, I said no and explained to him that there were other traditions that the people of that time celebrated in its place. OK, seriously, I totally made that up. I had no clue what holidays they celebrated at the time that would have correlated with Advent . I simply knew the Advent that I celebrated as a child growing up and the Advent I carry to this day in my heart.

Advent, for me, has always been a season of getting ready, a season of preparation, a season of longing for the celebration of Jesus's birth... and a longing to sing some of those sacred and treasured Christmas hymns that are sung best with a candle in hand as the lights are dimmed in the sanctuary on Christmas Eve and not a moment before.

So as we walked along the coast, I listened to my husband, who is not as creative in his story telling as I am, simply share the facts and talk of the Advent he knows.

Instead of trying to remember his heart, I will let him take the pen ( keyboard) from here as he shares now with you what he so gently spoke to us along the ocean this past week.

As I , Bob, reflect on this season, I am reminded that Advent is a time of preparation. A preparation for not only the observance of Christmas but also as we prepare our hearts for Jesus second coming. In Advent we have a time set aside to look forward to what is to come.

The obvious part of this is the celebration of Jesus birth. The challenging part is the preparing for the return of Jesus. This is where we are like God's people of the Old Testament. They were instructed to prepare and wait for the coming Messiah. The people of Israel weren't all exactly sure what they were waiting for or when He would come. Some had even given up hope that the Messiah would be coming. Many generations of Israelites prepared for the coming Messiah only to not have Him come during their lifetime. Many Christians, me included, are often lulled into the same type of thinking. We are ready for Jesus to return, but are we really ready? Are we ready for the long expectant Jesus?

The word Advent is a version of the Latin word which means coming. Advent also reminds us that we do not go to God, but He comes to us. He came to us in the form of Jesus many years ago. He comes to us in the way the Holy Spirit pursues us. He comes to us when we need Him most. Jesus will return and put an end to this world. He will come to us and usher in a new time of paradise. Are we ready?

As Bob poses this question to us as a community, to us as a family, I have to stop and ponder the reality of what my answer is. Oh that I may be ready, Oh that I may long in expectation. Oh that we ARE ready for the Advent of our King!.


We love you in the Lord,
Bob & Mia Koehne

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