Hope Since the Beginning
The narrative of the Christian faith is defined by a movement from promise to fulfillment, a journey that began in a garden and finds its ultimate resolution in the restoration of all things. This movement is encapsulated in the season of Advent, a period of intentional preparation that invites the believer to look backward at the first coming of Christ and forward to His promised return. While often overshadowed by the commercial pressures of the modern holiday season, the theological significance of Advent lies in its call to slow down and recognize the persistent thread of hope that runs through the entirety of human history.
The Historical Development of the Christian Calendar
The early Christian movement was deeply rooted in Judaism, sharing a common ancestry and a common scripture. The first disciples viewed the person of Jesus not as a departure from their heritage, but as the fulfillment of the Jewish feasts and festivals. Just as the Passover celebrated deliverance from Egyptian slavery, the early church saw Jesus as the ultimate deliverer from the slavery of sin. Over time, as Christianity became distinct from Judaism, the church began to establish its own ecclesiastical calendar. To prepare for the celebration of the resurrection, the season of Lent was established; to prepare for the celebration of the incarnation, the season of Advent was created.
Acts 1:8 (NASB) but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’
By the fourth century, the Roman Empire underwent a radical shift under Emperor Constantine. With the Edict of Milan, Christianity moved from a persecuted sect to an affirmed religion. This transition brought unprecedented growth, but it also introduced institutional corruption. By the middle of the fourth century, approximately half of the Roman Empire identified as Christian, yet many lacked a true understanding of the Gospel. This era saw the rise of unbiblical mandates, such as the sale of indulgences and the elevation of church authority to the level of Scripture, eventually necessitating the Protestant Reformation.
Matthew 16:18 (NASB) ’I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Reformation and the Reclamation of Tradition
In 1517, Martin Luther initiated a movement to return the church to the foundational principles of Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), and Sola Fide (faith alone). In their zeal to purge the church of corrupt doctrines, the Reformers also jettisoned many traditions. While the rejection of unbiblical dogmas was necessary, some beneficial rhythms of the early church were lost in the process. Advent is one such tradition that warrants reconsideration by the modern Protestant church. It is not a mandated doctrine but a spiritual discipline—a way to anchor the soul in the person of Christ amidst the noise of the world.
Romans 15:4 (NASB) For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Advent, derived from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming,” was solidified by the Middle Ages as a four-week journey. It focuses on four primary themes: hope, peace, joy, and love. This season serves a dual purpose: it celebrates the incarnation of God in bodily form and anticipates the second advent, when Christ will establish His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
The Protoevangelium: The First Glimmer of Hope
The theological necessity for Advent begins in the opening chapters of Genesis. The entry of sin into the world created a chasm that humanity could not bridge, yet God provided a promise of redemption immediately following the Fall. This promise, known as the protoevangelium or the “first gospel,” spoke of a coming seed who would crush the head of the serpent. While Adam and Eve could not have fully grasped the identity of this figure, the rest of the biblical canon serves as a progressive revelation of this promised Savior.
Genesis 3:15 (NASB) And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.’
Throughout the Old Testament, the identity of the Messiah is revealed through a series of prophetic flashes. From the promise to Abraham that his descendants would bless all nations, to the declaration that the scepter of rule would remain with the tribe of Judah, the scriptures consistently point toward a singular, coming King. Every story in the Old Testament whispers His name, foreshadowing His roles as the ultimate High Priest and the eternal King from the lineage of David.
Genesis 12:3 (NASB) And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’
Genesis 49:10 (NASB) ’The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him [shall be] the obedience of the peoples.
2 Samuel 7:16 (NASB) ‘Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.’‘’
Prophetic Fulfillment and the Light of the World
The specificity of messianic prophecy serves to ground the hope of Advent in historical reality. The prophets foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, that He would be called out of Egypt, and that He would be born of a virgin. Isaiah, writing centuries before the birth of Jesus, described a child who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. These titles do not merely describe a political ruler, but the very nature of God incarnate.
Micah 5:2 (NASB) ‘But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, [Too] little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.’
Isaiah 7:14 (NASB) ’Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB) For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of [His] government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the life that is the light of men, a light that the darkness cannot overcome. The traditional use of candles during Advent serves as a physical reminder of this reality. As each candle is lit, it symbolizes the increasing light of Christ entering a dark and weary world. This light provides the hope necessary to endure the present age while waiting for the final restoration.
John 1:4-5 (NASB) In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Conclusion: The Discipline of Anticipation
Advent is ultimately an invitation to enter into the “easy yoke” of Christ. In a culture defined by hurry and consumption, the season calls for a spiritual downshift—a intentional slowing to reflect on the gravity of the incarnation and the certainty of the return of Christ. It is a time for repentance and for the quiet interaction between the soul and its Creator.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB) ’Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ’Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. ‘For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’
The hope of Advent is not a vague wish, but a confident expectation based on the faithfulness of God. By looking back at the fulfilled promises of the first coming, the believer gains the fortitude to look forward to the second. This season reminds the church that the story is not yet over; the King who came in humility will return in glory to make all things new.
Revelation 21:5 (NASB) And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said, ‘Write, for these words are faithful and true.’