The King Is Coming: An Advent Message

Act of Worship

Advent, perhaps a largely misunderstood liturgical season in the Christian year, begins today. My aim in this message is to eliminate two common misconceptions of Advent: namely that Advent and Christmas are one and the same and that Advent solely prepares for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Advent holds a plurality of themes and rituals including but not limited to expectation and remembering Israel’s awaiting of the Messiah. Nonetheless, to relate to global Christians as a part of the timeless body of Christ, Advent focuses more on Christ’s Second Coming than his First. Certainly, many of the texts read and songs sung during Advent focus on the expectation of Christ’s incarnation; yet, we live in a time after such an event but, nonetheless, await our King’s Second Coming. In the same way Israel awaited the coming of Messiah, the church presently awaits his Second Coming and the end of time. The Sunday prior to Advent is known as Christ the King Sunday and celebrates his dominion over everything. Such a reflection is appropriate to subsequently reflect upon Christ’s certain return for his people and the end of time. Therefore, this is an Advent message of hope, for our King will return.