“Advent:  the coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important: the advent of the computer.”

I’m laughing.  Yes the computer is important;

To many people more important than Jesus.

We are into the third week of Advent. Its a season of prayer and reflection on the coming of Jesus at the incarnation. Its a season where we can nurture our expectation of His return to set all things right.

The advent of Jesus.

Extremely important.

God had been preparing people for the arrival of Jesus.

He even had the place of Jesus’ advent picked out: Bethlehem.

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from of old,

from ancient days.

3Therefore he shall give them up until the time

when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of his brothers shall return

to the people of Israel.

4And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great

to the ends of the earth.

5And he shall be their peace.
Micah 5:2-4

When the discussion of the Messiah’s birthplace came up during Jesus’ ministry, some ruled Jesus of Nazareth out. They knew according to the Scripture the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. But they didn’t know His whole history. Jesus had been born in Bethlehem in the line of David according to the promise of God.

God is in on the details.

Now is the season of Advent. Its a Christian tradition designed to help us reflect through prayer on the Scripture regarding Jesus’ incarnation and His meaning for our lives. Its also a season to help us anticipate His ultimate return to set all things right. We are beneficiaries and participants in His work and mission to redeem.

The Scripture says of Jesus: He shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.

Extremely important.