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- The word “advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus” and simply means “arrival” or “approach.” It usually carries with it the idea of hopeful anticipation—something good is coming! For Christians, “Advent” represents the four weeks before Christmas when we anticipate the arrival of our greatest hope—Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world! I’ve always loved the Advent season. When I was a child, my parents would hang up a paperboard advent calendar on the first day of December. The calendars varied over the years, but my favorites were always those that appeared to be a single, unified picture. Then, when you looked closely, you could see tiny numbers indicating “doors” to be opened. Each day, one of my siblings or I would open that day’s door to reveal the picture behind it—a bird, a tree, a star, maybe a poem or Bible verse—a picture within a picture. For me, it was magical. In some ways, the Bible is like those advent calendars. It is one big picture, one grand story from beginning to end. But hidden within that grand picture of God’s immeasurable love for his people are individual stories, episodes, prophesies and truths. This year, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ coming, we thought it fitting to focus on the larger picture of God’s redemption in Christ. As a roadmap to that larger picture, we’ll consider the angel’s announcement of Jesus birth to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem:
Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)
Each piece of this announcement is a door into the larger picture of God’s redemption in Christ. So, as you meditate on these narratives over the next few weeks, let each one remind you of the grand story of God’s deep, unmatched love for a broken and hurting world. And may the wonder of his love bring you great joy as you celebrate his coming.