What Is Advent? - Pt 2

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (1 Peter 1:10-12 ESV).

Continuing our look at Advent from yesterday, remember it is what we call the season leading up to Christmas. It begins four Sundays before December 25, sometimes in the last weekend of November, sometimes on the first Sunday in December. Our reading today is a clear description of what we look back to during Advent. So, let’s begin with those things the Apostle Peter instructed the early church about. Advent, first and foremost is about redemption. In the Advent Season, it’s as if we’re re-enacting, remembering the thousands of years God’s people were anticipating and longing for the coming of God’s salvation. We know now this would take place in Jesus. He is the culmination of the plan of God to redeem his people. That’s what advent means. It is the coming of Jesus. Even the greatest of God’s prophets who foretold the grace that was to come didn’t know “what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating." They were waiting, but they didn’t know what God’s salvation would look like. In fact, God revealed to them that they were not the ones who would see the sufferings and glory of God’s Christ. They were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven (v. 11). They were serving us. We, who are believers on this side of Jesus’ birth are a God-blessed, happy people because we know God’s plan. The ancient waiting is over. We have the greatest reason to celebrate. We can look back with the perfect vision of hindsight and know precisely what God’s plan is for our redemption. There is no ambiguity. God accomplished this redemption in the atoning work of Christ. What we could not do for ourselves Jesus did. The death we deserved, Jesus died. That is the plan of God. That is what we celebrate! That is the Good News!