The dictionary definition of Advent states that it is: -
a) The coming or arrival of something or someone that is important or worthy of note
b) An arrival or coming, especially one which is awaited
So who is coming? And who is waiting?
Most sources say that Advent is a four-week season in the church calendar dedicated to
anticipating the arrival, or “advent” of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah and King”.
This means that Advent is an occasion for the church and we’re waiting for the arrival of
Jesus? But we know that Jesus was born, and died, and rose again. He is our living
Saviour. Although yes, He is coming back again.
He is also the long-awaited ‘Messiah’ and ‘King’. Messiah?
That’s Hebrew for ‘anointed’ is משיח – the anointed one. The Saviour/Deliver.
That’s an odd concept – we are waiting for the arrival (birth) of King Jesus, knowing that He
has already been born! And the Messiah is the promised deliverer of the Jewish nation
prophesied in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible – Old Testament).
Christians are awaiting the second coming of Jesus. Jews are waiting for His first coming.
A number of years ago as we approached the season of Advent, I looked for a study on it, so
that I could prepare. We tend to go in and out of Christmas without giving much thought to
the actual birth of Jesus. In church our focus is often on the fact that He came, to die for our
sins. I wanted to think deeper about the actual birth aspect and not being able to find a good
study, I decided to write one for myself. This meant I had to do some research. I will share
some of the thoughts I had, and what I discovered.
Why was Jesus born? To fulfil scripture. The Tanakh/Old Testament has numerous
passages prophesying His birth. Jesus would be ‘from the seed of Abraham’ (Gen
22:18/Matt 1:1); promised through Isaac (Gen 21:12/Lk 3:34); from the Tribe of Judah (Gen
49:10/Micah 5:2/Lk 3:33); from the family of Jesse (Is 11:1/Lk 3:32); from the House of King
David Jer 23:5-6/Lk 3:31); born in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2/Lk 2:4-7); born of a virgin Is 7:14/Matt
1:18); worshipped and presented gifts by Kings (Ps 72:10/Matt 2:11); Worshipped by
shepherds (Ps 72:9/Lk 2:8,9); there would be weeping for the children Jer 31:15/Matt 2:16).
he would flee to Egypt (Hosea 11:1/Matt 2:13-14); he would be called Lord (Ps 110:1/Lk
2:11); He is the Son of God (Ps 2:7/Lk 3:22/Matt 3:17/Mk 1:11). These are just a few.
His mother and father were Jewish. The lineage of both of them can be traced back to
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Matt 1:1-16 & Lk 3:23-28).
His real name is Jewish – YESHUA – which means ‘He will save’.
He was circumcised on the 8th day after His birth. His mother took 2 pigeons to the Temple
in Jerusalem as a sacrifice, according to Jewish law (Lev 12:2-8/Lk 2:21-24).
Simeon was waiting for the ‘the Consolation of Israel’ (Lk 2:25-32) and the prophetess Anna
‘gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in
Jerusalem’ (Lk 2:36-38).
After the birth of John the Baptist, his father Zacharias prophesied about Jesus (Lk 1:68-79).
Look at verses 72 and 73 ‘…….and to remember His Holy Covenant, the oath which He
swore to our father Abraham’. It is interesting to note the meaning of the names of John’s
parents. Zacharias (Z’kharyah זכריה) means ‘The Lord Remembered’ and Elizabeth
(Elisheva אלישבע) means ‘God’s oath’. So God remembered His oath!
It’s important to remember though, that the Messiah also came for the Gentiles (non-Jews)
and we are included throughout the Tanakh, beginning in Genesis. In fact, there are 4
Gentile women mentioned in the lineage of Mary, in Matthew’s Gospel, and Simeon’s prayer
mentions the Gentiles (Lk 2:29-32).
When was Jesus born?
Well, not on 25th December as we know! Some people say Sukkot (the Feast of
Tabernacles). Some say Pesach (Passover). Apparently, it all began in Babylon and was the
date of Nimrod’s birthday. Then it was adopted by various other pagan religions over the
centuries to be the birthday of their pagan gods, until the Emperor Constantine decided that
we would celebrate the birth of Jesus on that day. It doesn’t really matter. We celebrate the
birth of the Light of the World around the time the Jewish people celebrate Hanukah – the
festival of lights, on 25th Kislev. Hanukah is about light, a miracle, God’s provision.
Just to throw another spanner into the works, Jesus was born between the years 4-6BC!
So our calendars are wrong.
The main thing to remember is that we are celebrating the birth of a wonderful, incredible,
amazing Saviour!
Where was Jesus born?
That we are certain of. Bethlehem. To fulfil Micah’s prophecy. It is also mentioned in the
Talmud (the Jewish Oral Writings) that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem
in Hebrew is Beit Lechem – בית לחם – which means ‘the house of bread’. One of the names
of Jesus is ‘the Bread of Life’. The sheep which were used for the Temple sacrifices were
born and reared in Bethlehem. Jesus was our sacrificial lamb.
My vicar in England told me that he loved the season of Advent because it gave him a great
opportunity to speak about Israel. The first two weeks he would preach on the first coming
of Jesus, the last two on His second coming. He said you can’t speak about the second
coming without mentioning Israel. Why? Because when Jesus comes back, He is coming
back to Jerusalem! There are many Scriptures to confirm this, but too much to put in here.
My favourite Advent hymn is O come, o come, Immanuel.
‘O come, o come Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile
here, until the Son of God appear’
Amen
Personal Prayer
by Guest Blogger Batnabas aka Linda Morris
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