As the Advent season commences, there lies a beauty in the air, saturated not just with the anticipation of Christmas but with the deeper, more resounding anticipation of Christ’s return. This season invites us to dwell in anticipation—a theme woven throughout the Scriptures, not as weary bystanders but as vibrant, active participants in the promises of God.
Understanding Biblical Anticipation
In the mundane repetition of daily routines, anticipation often carries a hue of escapism, a desire to leap from the present into a more appealing future. Yet, in the Christian context, anticipation is radically different. It is marked by joy and assured through the promises of Jesus’ reign. Titus 2:3 calls us to await our “blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” This anticipation is not marked by dissatisfaction but is fueled by the certainty of God’s fulfilled promises.
The Spirit-fueled practice of biblical anticipation involves intentional waiting that is both active and hope-filled. It is not passive resignation, but an engaged longing, where each day is levied in a way that mirrors the kingdom values we await. This Advent, the call to anticipate Christ’s return is a call to immerse ourselves fully in the reality of what it means to be coheirs with Christ, sharing not only his future glory but also his present mission.
The Active Nature of Anticipation
Christian anticipation, unlike its worldly counterpart, compels us to confidently engage rather than withdraw. Romans 8:23-25 reminds us, “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.” This passage reveals anticipation as a dynamic state of being that is rooted in God’s work in Christ. Our “groaning” is not a sign of despair, but a marker of deep transformation happening within us by the indwelling Spirit as we await the full realization of our redemption.
The joy of this anticipation lies in its ability to transform our daily actions. When we truly grasp the depth of what we await, our mundane tasks are imbued with eternal significance. Every act of service, every loving interaction, and every moment of worship becomes a part of the larger narrative of God’s kingdom work. This perspective invites us to live not as passive waiters but as active participants in the divine story unfolding around us.
Preparing for the King
How, then, do we cultivate this anticipatory posture? The Advent season offers a rhythm of reflection and engagement that models how we might live all year round. Second Peter 3:12 urges us to “look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” This looking forward involves more than intellectual assent; it involves a preparation of our hearts and our communities. Just as we might prepare our homes for the arrival of a cherished guest, so too we prepare our lives for the coming of our king.
This preparation is joyful, marked by a community coming together in worship, service, and celebration. It’s in our shared liturgies, our songs of praise, our acts of charity, and our moments of silent prayer that we rehearse our future reality, a world renewed and restored under Christ’s loving reign.
As we step into this season of Advent, let us embrace the joy of anticipation. Let us move beyond the passive waiting and faithfully engage in the hope of our calling. Let this season be a testament to the joy that comes from divine anticipation, a joy that does not diminish in the face of the world’s challenges, but grows stronger, illuminating our paths and guiding our steps towards the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we reflect, wait, and act, may we rediscover the joy that anticipation is meant to bring into our lives, transforming our days into a vibrant witness to the hope that lies within us.