This Advent I’ve asked a cross-section of Anchorage pastors, representing a variety of faith traditions, to submit a brief Advent Reflection under this year’s theme: “Does Celebrating Advent Really Make a Difference?”
The next pastor to be featured is Bob Mather, Pastor of Baxter Road Bible Church. Bob also comes from a non-Advent celebrating tradition.[img_assist|nid=163924|title=Pastor Bob Mather|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=300|height=324]
Does Celebrating Advent Really Make a Difference?
It can make a difference if, in celebrating the arrival of our Lord Jesus to this world, we truly comprehend who He was and why He came to earth. When we understand that the only sacrifice, valuable enough to cover the sins of the world, is God Himself, we begin to understand what a wonderful thing it truly was that a member of the Trinity came to earth to make this sacrifice for us.
The prophecy made in Zechariah, the ninth chapter about Jesus coming to earth, was made 500 years before His birth and tells the people to “rejoice greatly” at this good news. So Advent is not only a time of sober reflection but is also a time of festivities and rejoicing. Most of us are good at the festive part, and celebrating Advent helps us remember the reason for the festivities and rejoicing.