November 25 Advent thoughts

The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land…this is the name by which he will be called: the Lord our righteous savior. Jeremiah 23:5-6

What is ‘Advent’? Simply put, ‘advent’ is from the Latin ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming’. Why BEFORE the ‘official’ date of November 27th? Why not wait until then? I mean besides the fact that I started listening to ‘Christmas’ music on a regular basis around November 1st (1984). One reason is because Christmas Day is one month-31 days-away. It fits the timeline of a month of ‘Advent’ devotional thoughts. But the real reason, MY reason, is because of all the things I have to be thankful for, the most is the ‘advent’ or ‘coming’ of Christ. More importantly, this is the ‘first’ Advent. Scripture speaks of a second, and this is the one I look forward to the most. And honestly, this is a year when hope needs to shine forth.

O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

-O Come, O Come Immanuel from an 8th C. plainchant