Some Christian traditions celebrate Advent in the weeks before Christmas. The word comes from Latin (adventus) and means “coming” or “arrival” (parousia in our New Testament’s Greek). While most people focus on Advent’s preparation for Christmas, the Bible’s use of the term is usually about Jesus’ Second Coming.
While it is wonderful to remember the time of Jesus’ incarnation and birth, we must never forget he has a second advent that we must all be prepared for. The main thing Jesus and the apostles taught about his return was to be ready. A little baby in a manger makes us feel a lot warmer than the image of Jesus’ return as the final judge, but both advents are true.
“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Matthew 24:44
“And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.”
1 John 2:28
Jesus is called Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and we are encouraged to keep abiding with him.
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