Advent started yesterday. Well actually, I found out that some start it on Dec. 1, and some start on the 4th Sunday before Christmas, but we started yesterday because we didn't know any other option. A couple of weeks ago, I began to re-read a book that I've had, in hopes that I could find some good ideas for Christ-centered traditions for our family. There was a very helpful, insightful section on Advent (read it even if you don't think you have time!):

"We are a people of promise. For centuries God prepared people for the coming of his Son, our only hope for life. At Christmas we celebrate the fulfillment of the promises God made- that he would make a way to draw near to him...

First Peter 1:10-12 is a clear description of what we look back to during Advent. For four weeks, it's as if we'r reenacting, remembering the thousands of years during which God's people were anticipating and longing for the coming of God's salvation, for Jesus. That's what advent means--"coming." Even God's me who foretold the grace that was to come didn't know "what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating" (v. 11). 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 12) They were serving us. We Christians on this side of Jesus' birth are a God-blessed, happy people because we know God's plan. The centuries of waiting are over. We have the greatest reason to celebrate.

And yet we are still waiting. Our spiritual redemption came to us with the baby of Bethlehem. Nonetheless, as Romans 8 says, "we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoptions as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (v 23). There is suffering and tragedy still, even for Christians. Someone we love is dying. We may be in pain. Sometimes we have trouble believing God's promises. In other words, our redemption is not complete. We are waiting for the redemption of our bodies- waiting for Jesus' second advent, for him to come again.

So here we stand in the middle. Advent is a season of looking back, thinking how it must have been, waiting for the promised salvation of God, not knowing what to expect. And at the same time, Advent is a season of looking ahead, preparing ourselves to meet Jesus at his Second Coming."

-Noel Piper, Treasuring God in our Traditions pg. 76