Advent 2020: An Overview
Advent 2020, enters the scene after our country has been through so much “grinchy” upheaval (Corona-politics-weather-Division) and after our church community has been in an Autumn sermon conversation about The Politics of Jesus. The overarching theme was how Jesus interrupts our socio-economic notions with a generous love and invites us to Imagine a new kind of politics, a new kind of family, and a new way of being in the world…which leads us back around to Advent and how the birth narrative of Jesus continues to interrupts our calendars and invites us to imagine a new kind of year!!!
The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (this year, November 29), and continues until nightfall on Christmas Eve. The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Messiah in the first Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in the second Advent.
Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and our community, as we affirm that Jesus has come, that the Spirit of Jesus is present in the world today, and that the Christ will come again in power. Advent reminds us that we live between the times and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people.
Why Does Coastal Observe Advent?
We observe Advent as a deliberate way to join with the church around the world in preparing ourselves for celebrating Christmas (the Incarnation). Preparing allows us to remember our God who is at work. Many times in the Scriptures, God calls God's people to remember. Remembering is a powerful way to reset our lives around Jesus & Jubilee. Remembering God’s faithfulness and deliverance in the past also leads to hope and faith for the future. This is why Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, anticipation, preparation, and longing.
Instead of frantically running and consuming our way through the holiday season, Advent calls us to live at a slower pace. Each week focuses on different aspects of life with God: hope, faith, joy, peace, and love. These themes are meant to remind us of God’s Jubilee work in our lives and heighten our anticipation of a King who will bring peace, justice, and righteousness to the world.
Scripture Reading in Advent
Reading Scripture is the great invitation to enter God’s story and to imagine and experience the Kingdom life. Below are Scripture texts that Coastal will use to weave together our past sermon conversation based on Jubilee and the Advent season:
Week 1 – Luke 1:5-25
Week 2 – Luke 1:26-45
Week 3 – Luke 1:57-80
Week 4 – Matthew 2:1-12
Christmas – Luke 2:1-20