Tag: History of Advent

When Jesus was Born there were people who were Ready for Him, but there were many who were not.

30 years later when Jesus performed Miracles and showed people the Right Way to live, there were people who were Ready, but many were not.

Now over 2,000 years later with all the Knowledge, Experience, Understanding and Wisdom of 'Who Jesus Is', there are people who are Ready, but there are still many who are not.

~ Are You Ready For Jesus?

When Jesus was Born, the Innkeeper & Staff were not Ready for Him. They were 'Too Busy' with 'other people'.

King Herod was not Ready for Jesus. Herod wanted to be King. 
His 'arrogance, selfishness and craving for control' meant he was not able to Accept Jesus as King.

The Pharisees (the very people who had 'studied the Scripture' and knew the Law inside out) were not even Ready for Jesus. They 'expected' something else and they were too 'stubborn' to be Open Minded to 'God's Way'.

~ On the other hand, Mary & Joseph 'were' Ready for Jesus.
Even though they didn't Understand how it could be possible that Mary would be pregnant as they had not been intimate together, they Both put their 'Faith & Trust' in God. 
They Believed that even though 'people' can't explain how it's possible, 'Nothing is impossible with God'.

The Shepherds were Ready for Jesus. 
Back in that time, Shepherds were considered as 'outcasts'. People overlooked them, they would have been called and put down. Yet the Shepherds Faith & Belief was Stronger than All of the popular people put together. 
By their 'Simple yet Powerful Choice' to Trust God, they were Blessed with being the First Ever people to visit Jesus. WOW.

The Wise Men were Ready for Jesus. 
Even though they were 'Many Miles' away from the place where Jesus was Born, they were 'Willing' to do 'Whatever It Takes' to Meet Jesus.
Because of that Humble Attitude, they were Filled with 'Exceedingly Great Joy'.

~ Are You Ready For Jesus?

Are you 'Too Busy' with 'other people' and 'other things' to even notice that Jesus is 'Knocking at the Door of Your Life'.
Or are you 'Willing' to do 'Whatever it Takes' to Make Room to 'Welcome Jesus In'.

Are you trying to be King or Queen of your own Life and not Accepting Jesus as 'Your Lord'. 
Or will you make the 'Simple yet Powerful Choice' to put 'Your Trust' in God and Discover the Strength of Real Faith.

Is your 'Knowledge' and the things 'people' have taught you about Jesus 'Holding You Back' from Experiencing New & Exciting Things, even when God Himself reveals them to You.
Or are you 'Willing' to put 'Your Faith & Trust' in God and not in people, so that you too can Enjoy the Freedom & Peace of Mind, knowing that with God & Jesus in your Life, you don't need to Understand everything, you 'Just Need to Believe'.

Don't Miss Out on the Wonderful Blessings of letting Jesus be 'King of Your Life'.

Do 'Whatever It Takes' to 'Welcome Him In'.

~ Positive Bible Verses ~

Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:41+42)

~ ~ ~

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the Truth.
(John 18:37)

~ ~ ~

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding
(Proverbs 3:5)

~ ~ ~

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man (Jesus) will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
(Matthew 24:44)

   The Meaning of Advent has Always had the same basic Foundation, 
~ To Focus on Jesus, and to Prepare Yourself for Jesus.

How to Achieve this has had different variations over the years.

~ The Earliest known Record of Advent was in 380 AD by the Council of Sagossa.
Back then people were advised to attend Church from 17th - 29th December.

~ At one time Advent was in January in the run up to Epiphany and new Christians would prepare themselves for Baptism.

~ Later this changed into the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas Day.

~ Another version is to spend Advent as starting on 1st December.

~ Some people prefer Advent to be up to 24th December, whereas some people prefer it up to 25th December.

There Isn't a set rule as to the Timing of Advent. The Most Important thing is 'How You Spend Advent' and 'Who & What You Focus On'.

The word Advent comes from the Latin word 'adventus' which is a translation of the Greek word 'parousia'.

Parousia means 'The Arrival of The Lord' or 'The Coming of Jesus'.

The historic way of spending Advent was to spend the 1st '2 weeks' Focusing On & Preparing Yourself for when Jesus 'Comes Back', (know as the 2nd Coming), and the 2nd '2 weeks' Focusing On 'The Birth of Jesus' (know as the 1st Coming).

The more modern way to spend Advent is the Themes of 'Hope, Peace, Love and Joy', one for each week leading up to Christmas Day. 
Candles are lit for each week to symbolise the Meanings of each theme.

Some people choose to light candles every day of Advent and spend Quality Time in Prayer with Jesus and reading Positive Bible Verses.

As long as Your Heart, Mind and Soul are 'Focused on Jesus', thats all that matters.

The Truth is Whatever works Best for 'You' to Help you 'Stay Focused on Jesus', then that is what's 'Right For You'. 

~ Positive Bible Verse ~

You will keep them in Perfect Peace, whose Mind is Stayed on You.
(Isaiah 26:3)