Delving into the Profound Significance of Advent

Advent is a season that stirs anticipation and longing for the coming of Christ, the promised Messiah who brings peace, salvation, and justice to the world. It is a time when the story of Jesus fills the atmosphere, igniting hearts with joy and hope.

The Story of Advent: From Genesis to Bethlehem

To truly grasp the essence of Advent, we must turn to the Word of God, which beautifully narrates the unfolding of this remarkable story. One poignant moment is found in Luke’s Gospel, in chapter 24, where the disciples, still grappling with the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, encounter the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus. In this encounter, Jesus patiently explains how his suffering, death, and resurrection were all part of God’s plan, foretold by the prophets.

This realization is a pivotal moment in understanding the true meaning of Advent. It is the advent of Christ, the advent of the long-awaited Messiah, the promised one who would bring peace, salvation, and justice. This story, however, did not begin with Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem but stretches back to the very beginning of creation, to the book of Genesis.

The Awe-Inspiring Account of Creation and Rebellion

In Genesis, authored by Moses, we encounter the awe-inspiring account of God’s creation. God, the only God, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, brings forth everything out of nothing. With breathtaking beauty, God creates man in His own image, a special creation imbued with the capacity for relationship, creativity, and love. He then forms a help-meet for man, his woman, and calls them to unity, multiplication, stewardship, and dominion over the earth.

Yet, this story takes a tragic turn when God’s image in the garden rebels against Him. Adam and Eve, the first parents of humanity, defy God’s commands and succumb to the deceitful allure of the serpent. Through their disobedience, sin enters the world, severing the intimate connection between God and humanity. The consequences are severe – spiritual separation, death, and banishment from God’s presence.

The Promise of Advent: Crushed Heel and Crushed Head

Despite the devastating consequences of sin, there is a glimmer of hope in this story. The beautiful God, full of truth, love, mercy, and justice, does not abandon His creation. Instead, He sets in motion a story of redemption that begins right there in the garden. God makes a promise, found in Genesis 3:15, about the coming king, the Redeemer, and the Savior. He declares that there will be enmity between the offspring of the serpent and the offspring of the woman. The promised Messiah, born of a woman (hinting at a future virgin birth), will crush the head of the serpent, delivering a fatal blow to Satan’s power, while being wounded on his heel.

This promise, spoken by God Himself, is the story of Advent. It is the anticipation of the coming Messiah, the one who would fulfill this promise and bring about the ultimate victory over sin, evil, and death. The full glory and significance of this promise could not have been fully understood at that time. The Messiah’s advent would accomplish something remarkable – the destruction of all the works of the devil. He would deliver the fatal blow to Satan while being wounded himself.

The Ultimate Triumph on the Cross

What is astonishing is that the Messiah’s wound, the bruising of his heel, is something he will recover from. Unlike the crushed head of the serpent, which signifies a mortal blow, the wound on the Messiah’s heel is one from which he will rise victoriously. This simultaneous act of delivering a fatal blow to Satan while being wounded points to the ultimate triumph of Jesus on the cross.

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus delivers the death blow to what Satan brought into the world – sin, brokenness, and separation from God. It is through the advent of Christ, God becoming king, that the story of redemption reaches its culmination. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is not just a heartwarming tale but the fulfillment of God’s promise, the beginning of the long-awaited advent of the Messiah.

Celebrating the True Significance of Advent

As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember the true significance of Advent. It is not merely a season of joyful festivities and gift-giving but a time to reflect on the profound love and mercy of God. It is a time to share the story of Jesus, the King who came to reconcile humanity with God, to bring peace, salvation, and justice to a broken world.

So let us rejoice and proclaim, “Let Earth receive her King! Merry Christmas!” May the story of Advent resonate in our hearts and inspire us to live lives that reflect the transformative power of Christ’s advent.