The significance of Advent-Christmas

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

A Christmas shopping in Imphal city in December 2010

'Advent Christmas' is for 'spiritual preparation'; in preparation of your heart and your life to meet Jesus. 'Repentance' means confession of your sins to accept Jesus as your personal Savior. Forgiving one another (as God did) as Christmas is a time to love. Begin to pray so that the birth of Jesus will make a big difference in your life this Christmas!

We need preparation so that our Christmas will be with the birthday boy Jesus or else meaningless. So many preparations - lights, cakes and gifts evident – but what about the heart-find your heart-where you're heading? "Decorate your heart with God's word, sing praises & hymns, encourage others, forgive others and have fellowship with godly people".

'Advent' means 'the coming', who is coming? "Jesus"! Advent Christmas or Pre-Christmas simply means "waiting or expecting" by preparing ourselves spiritually to meet Jesus. It is very important to have advent to remind ourselves about the 'First Coming of Jesus', and to prepare ourselves for the 'Second Coming of Jesus!'

The 'Ancient Romans' had a god called 'Janus'. It is from this name the month January was derived. He is depicted in art as having a head with two faces. One face looks backward, the other forward. So, the Christmas season called Advent derived from this name. "It looks backward to the first coming of Jesus into history, also to look forward to Jesus Second Coming at the end of world history."

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVENT-CHRISTMAS

The coming of Jesus was foretold by the prophets, whereas, there was neither preparation nor celebration except to whom God favors. We can celebrate Advent Christmas on any day before the Christmas Eve. In some countries, people celebrate Advent on the first Sunday of December while others on any day of the first week of December. One can celebrate Advent on any convenient day before the Christmas. It all depends on your conviction of how you're preparing to celebrate a blessed Christmas. The day isn't important but what matter is your heart's preparation and response.

Advent is very important for many reasons. But many churches give least importance to 'Advent Christmas' and straight away celebrate Christmas. However, one big question is that, Is Christ really the centered of your celebration? Many celebrate Christmas without Jesus, the birthday boy, which has no meaning at all.

As you prepare for the meaningful Christmas celebration, be encourage that nothing of your problem is impossible to God because, "For with God nothing will be impossible" Luke 1:37.

The Words of Isaiah the prophet writes in Isaiah 40:3-5, "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation" Luke 3:4-6.

The Voice Crying in the Wilderness: demanded a way for the LORD, a way prepared, and a way prepared in the wilderness. I would be attentive to the Master's proclamation, and give Him a road into my heart to stay, cast up by gracious operations, through the desert of my nature. The four directions in the text must have my serious attention.

Every Valley Must be Exalted: Low and groveling thoughts of God must be given up; doubting and despairing must be removed; and self-seeking and carnal delights must be forsaken. Across these deep valleys a glorious causeway of grace must be raised.

Every Mountain and Hill Shall be Laid Low: Proud creature-sufficiency, and boastful self-righteousness, must be leveled, to make a highway for the King of kings. Divine fellowship is never vouchsafed to haughty, high-minded sinners. The Lord hath respect unto the lowly, and visits the contrite in heart, but the lofty are an abomination unto Him. My soul, beseech the Holy Spirit to set thee right in this respect.

The Crooked Shall be Made Straight: The wavering heart must have a straight path of decision for God and holiness marked out for it. Double-minded men are strangers to the God of truth. My soul, take heed that thou be in all things honest and true, as in the sight of the heart-searching God.

The Rough Places Shall be Made Smooth: Stumbling-blocks of sin must be removed, and thorns and briers of rebellion must be uprooted. So great a visitor must not find miry ways and stony places when He comes to honor His favored ones with His company: Oh that this evening the Lord may find in my heart a highway made ready by His grace, that He may make a triumphal progress through the utmost bounds of my soul, from the beginning of this year even to the end of it.

Can we seek the Lord as we prepare ourselves to find God's favor? God bless you in all your Preparations and also your meaningful celebrations!