Advent is one of my favourite seasons; it’s a time when we reflect on and celebrate the most famous, the most miraculous and the most influential birth of ALL time.
The word Advent raises thoughts of calendars and chocolate, and maybe your church tradition makes you think of the lighting of a candle each day. For others, Advent has little meaning, but if we allow it, the season of Advent can mean so much more. The word ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin adventus, which means ‘coming’ or ‘visit’. Literally, it’s a time to wait, to reflect, and to anticipate what Jesus wants to do in our lives. Advent also celebrates not only that Jesus came, but that He WILL come again.
The world views December as a time to prepare for Christmas with the busyness of gift buying, present swapping, friends, family and crazy amounts of food, parties and celebration. For Christians, December ushers in Advent, a time to anticipate the coming of Jesus, to reconnect with him and with our salvation.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesu, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Hebrews 12:2
Advent is a time to fix our eyes on Jesus and not be swept away by all the superfluous trappings that can surround it. it’s a time to eagerly anticipate what He will do now, and when He comes again. Advent gives us time to check our pulse, to ask if my discipleship is what it should be. If Jesus came back tomorrow, we want to be ready, and that means that each day we ensure we represent Him well.
Let Advent be a time when you allow God to start something new and fresh in your life.
Let Advent be a time of intentionally choosing to wait on the Lord and see what He says.
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Amy Summerfield
Amy Summerfield is CEO of Kyria, a leadership network to champion empower and release women into their spheres of influence (kyrianetwork.com), and Head of Development at Skylark International, a network of churches, charities and organisations. From 2015-2020 Amy was senior pastor of Connect Church, Paisley, Scotland. Amy is the co-founder of Pulse Children’s and Youth Ministries. She is a regular conference speaker for women's and leadership conferences. Recently married, Amy moved to live in Hitchin with her husband Matt who leads Zeo Church. She enjoys cooking, baking, dog walking and tea drinking! When not travelling for ministry, she loves spending time in Derbyshire where she grew up.