Things can change in an instant. One moment, John the Baptist was the fearless voice in the wilderness, the next, he was in prison, sending his disciples to Jesus with a simple but profound question: “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Even John, who had proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God, faced doubt. We can relate. We trust that God is faithful, yet the world’s pain and injustice sometimes bring up questions: Has God changed His mind? Is Jesus really the One? Waiting is hard. Advent reminds us of this tension. We place the decorations, light the candles, and anticipate the joy of Christmas, yet the process of preparation perhaps at time can feel slow, invisible, or even discouraging.
But Advent is about more than the lead up to December the 25th. It points us to the ultimate Advent: the return of Christ and the fulfilment of God’s promises. We may wonder if it will really happen—but Jesus answers not just with words, but with evidence. God’s work is already underway, and He invites us to observe it, both in Scripture and in our lives. He shows the fulfilment of prophecy, the evidence of His kingdom at work, and invites us to encounter the truth. People went to John not for comfort or easy answers, but to witness a prophet with an unchanging message. We come to Christ in prayer, study of the word and revceiving communion, and all those aspects remind us of the cross, and the centrality of out baptism— and not necessarily towards worldly success, but towards seeking reconciliation, peace, and eternal life.
Advent is powerful because it acknowledges our doubts while revealing God’s perfect love and sacrifice. We may not always see instant change in the world, but we see God’s faithfulness across generations. We see the fulfilment of His promises, giving us every reason to trust Him. During Advent, two seasons can at times seem to overlap: the world celebrates with lights and gifts, while we in the church continue in seeking to build a ministry of reconciliation and preparation. Both can be enjoyed, but only one brings lasting peace. So we look to Christ—who has come, who is here, and who will come again – Emmanuel, God with us.