Advent, what is it?

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 Advent comes from a Latin word that means "important arrival." In the church context, advent season is pointing towards the arrival of Jesus on the Earth. 

We as believers get to look with expectation towards Christmas day. Maybe some of you start the countdown immediately after Christmas from the previous year. Maybe some of you start the countdown after thanksgiving. At most we are one year away from the next Christmas celebration and we get to look forward to celebrating Jesus' advent to earth.

Why did Jesus have to be born? Why did Jesus have to forsake heaven, and become human?

It says that Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil. What was the devil's work? His most notable work was to cause Adam and Eve to sin, which caused separation from a perfect God and loving Father. The people in the Bible, starting in Genesis after Adam and Eve fell from perfect paradise, had to look forward to the coming Messiah. The one who would set things right. The one who would create connection back to God the Father that was broken because of sin. From Chapter 3 in Genesis when Adam and Eve Fell from perfection because of sin and were separated from God, there has been this idea of Advent. The most we have to wait is 1 year. The people in the Bible waited centuries and centuries for the Advent of Jesus in Bethlehem, some studies estimate 4000 years. 4000 years from the time Adam and Eve were removed from the garden to the day that Jesus was born.

Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil. 

So the devil's work was separation, and Jesus' work is to bring restoration. The devil came to remove connection from God, Jesus came to restore connection to God. The devil came to produce doubt toward God, Jesus came to prove God is who He says he is. The devil came to accuse and torment humanity, Jesus came to give peace and hope.

There is no way that Jesus was born on accident. Prophecy after prophecy points to Jesus being born.  

63 Verses predicting the birth of Jesus. From years and years and centuries before he was born!

All the symbols that are iconic to Christmas had prophetic fulfillment when Jesus was born:

The city of Bethlehem

Being born a king of the line of David

Being born from a virgin

The kings bringing gifts


Small Group

1. Read over the prophecy verses for : Being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-5, Matthew 2:1-6).

2. Read over the prophecy verses for : Being born a king of the line of David (Isaiah 9:7, Matthew 1:1 & verse 16).

3. Read over the prophecy verses for : Being born from a virgin (Isaiah 7:13-14, Matthew 1:18-23).

4. Read over the prophecy verses for : The kings bringing gifts (Psalm 72:10,11 ; Matthew 2:1-11).

5. Why is it important to study scripture that proves Jesus existence?

6. What are some words that come to mind when you see the detail of Jesus birth outlined in these verses?

7. The first prophecy about Jesus is in Genesis. Jesus wasn't born until roughly 4000 years after. Do you think you could wait that long for someone to keep a promise to you?

8. What Christian Christmas traditions does your family celebrate?

9. What did you read in the Bible this week?

10. Prayer needs/wants. 

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