“Advent” comes from Latin, and it basically means arrival or coming.

It is a time to pause and recognize the arriving HOPE in the form of Jesus Christ, God incarnate!

I love pausing in the mayhem of Christmas preparations to recognize and appreciate that Jesus coming was heralded throughout the ages; foretold throughout history as the coming hope of the world! The beginning of Advent is like the first rays of light streaking across the sky before sunrise; you know that it is only going to become increasingly beautiful.

Isaiah 9:2 proclaims: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” This week just reminds me that Jesus’ birth was more than just one more precious baby . . . it was a message. What was promised had arrived.

Sorry if this seems sappy, but it is one of those beautiful moments to hearken back to the “first Christmas”. . . think about why this was so earth-shattering and monumental and exciting – it was a long-awaited arrival; a miracle.