Advent: He Is Coming

Starter

Pray

Thank You, God, for the peace that we have in Christ Jesus. As sinners in need of a savior, you have shown us your love and promies so that we can find peace. Thank You that because You came and we surrender, the peace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit lives within us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

About Advent

  1. Comes from Latin word Adventus meaning "coming"
  2. Are we to “remember” Jesus birth, death or resurrection? What did Jesus command? What did the NT church model? (Luke 22:19, 1 Cor 11:25)
  3. Between Christmas (birth), Good Friday (death), and Easter (resurrection), which does church elevate and "celebrate?” Why? What motivates us to memorialize Christmas?
  4. What are the origins of Christmas, or the Christ-Mass? (hint: Roman culture and Saturnalia)
  5. When was Jesus really born? December or September? Feast of Tabernacles/Booths/Sukkot??
  6. Did God give His people a calendar of dates to memorialize? Why did the early church abandon the Jewish calendar (of feasts) and make up their own holidays (not instituted by God)? Easter vs. Passover, Pentecost vs. Shavuot, etc.
  7. Solar (365d Roman calendar) vs Lunar (30d) calendar. The “OT feasts” are on a lunar cycle, but Christian holidays are largely based on Roman solar calendar.
  8. Should we forget God's calendar and adopt man’s? Do we need to know God's calendar? Does God's calendar (of feasts) have any importance in our future? See Zechariah 14: esp. 16
  9. Understand the Christmas holiday is about culture and family tradition, but it was not established by God, nor celebrated by the Acts church.
  10. It is important to know and understand Jesus earthly origin story.

Study Questions

Angels are everywhere in the scriptures especially in the life of Jesus. They announce His impending conception and birth. They announce the newborn baby in the manger. They warn His family to take the boy Jesus and flee to Egypt. They minister to Christ in the desert. They strengthen Him in the garden. They announce His resurrection. They were present at His ascension. They bore witness to John about Jesus’ second coming. Angels are everywhere. And just as all Scripture points to a Messiah that will bring peace, all angels point to the gospel message of Jesus the Prince of Peace.

READ: Matthew 1:18-25

Life was good and seemed to be fairly peaceful for Joseph. He was no doubt looking forward to starting a new life with his bride, raising a family, and living in peace as he continued to grow his carpentry business. But Joseph’s peace in life was about to be shattered, and things were going to get extremely complicated. God knew that Joseph would need a little encouragement and direction. So, He sent an angel with a message of peace.