There’s a burgeoning of Advent calendars these days with everything from dog treats to Red Bull drinks. But it seems that few know what Advent is about.

Jesus was born as a baby in a stable in Bethlehem, two thousand years ago–fully God, and fully man. He came to set the captives free…

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18,19

Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil (1 John 3:8). He came to die on a cross for our sins and be resurrected (Luke 9:22), and in his death to complete (fulfill) and set aside the Law of Moses.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16

 He taught throughout Israel, healing everyone who came to him, some he sought out for healing—he never turned any person away. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed lepers, and cast out demons. He announced that these proved that he was the son of God, and that his Kingdom was advancing on the earth. He preached “the gospel of the Kingdom.”

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Matthew 11:2-5

After Jesus rose from the dead, he stayed for forty days and taught more to his disciples. He told them to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus has already come. When he ascended to heaven, an angel told the disciples Jesus would be coming back. Advent is about waiting and looking forward to his return; we’re not waiting for Jesus to come–we’re waiting for him to come again in all his glory as King of Kings, and judge. He will make the heavens and the earth new, and bring the New Jerusalem down from heaven–the place he went to prepare for us, heaven on earth.