Christmas
& Advent
*
Christmas is usually defined as "a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus
Christ." Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means "arrival"
or "coming." In Christian practice, Advent refers to the period before
Christmas (usually starting four Sundays before Christmas day). Advent is not
prescribed by the Bible, but various churches and Christians observe it. Need
of Hope
*
During the 1st millennium BC, Israel faced trouble and despair. Israel was broken
into two kingdoms: the northern kingdom (called "Israel" or "Samaria")
and the southern kingdom (called "Judah"). Almost all of the kings of
Israel and Judah were corrupt and did evil. Most of the people turned away from
the true God and worshiped false gods and idols.
*
As a result of their unfaithfulness to God, Israel was destroyed by the Assyrians
in 722 BC, and Judah was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC (2 Kings 17:7-23;
2 Chronicles 36:15-20). The people of Israel and Judah were exiled, outside the
Promised Land. "Our
bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off" (Ezekiel 37:11b,
NIV). 1.
While we may not face Israel's physical situation, do we also have need of hope
today? Explain.
Reason
for Hope
*
During Israel's time of rebellion and exile, God was still speaking to them through
his "prophets." The prophets brought both bad news and good news. The
bad news was God's judgment because of their sin. The good news was God's blessing
because of his grace. Both God's judgment and God's blessing were demonstrations
of his faithfulness to his promises.
*
"Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; your fields
are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown
by strangers" (Isaiah 1:7, NIV).
*
"And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But
as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed
will be the stump in the land" (Isaiah 6:13, NIV).
Read Isaiah
11:1-10. This passage and many others speak of a future Messiah, who will
bring salvation, righteousness, justice, peace, and blessing. The Messiah will
establish his kingdom, in which everyone will know God and have his law written
on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
*
"The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will raise up to David
a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is right in the land.
In his days, Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name
by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:5-6). 2.
In our world today, what do people hope for? What is the basis of their hope?
(What is the reason for their hopefulness?) How does this compare to the hope
presented in the Bible?
Realization
of Hope
*
Around 5 BC, a baby was born in the town of Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-7; cf. Micah 5:2).
He was given the name "Jesus." It became obvious that Jesus was the
promised Messiah - "the Root of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12;
cf. Revelation 5:5; 22:16). The Savior has come! Continuation
of Hope
*
When we trust in Jesus Christ, we are saved from spiritual death and given a new
life. We enter into a relationship with God and become heirs in God's kingdom
of light (Colossians 1:12-14). Our hope has been realized, but not fully realized.
Hope continues until Christ's second advent. 3.
God's people in the Old Testament spent many years hoping and waiting for the
Messiah and his kingdom. How are our hopes and waits similar and dissimilar to
theirs? What can we do to stay encouraged and faithful in our own hopes and waits?
Reflection
†
Do
you have hope? What is your ultimate (greatest, final) hope? What is the basis
of your hope? The only hope that truly delivers is the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Have you received Christ?
†
As
a Christian, are you troubled in this present world? Can you say that you are
overflowing with hope? Reflect on Romans 5:1-5, 8:18-25 and 15:13, and ask God
to increase your faith.
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