Advent: Thy Kingdom Come

In ancient times, Jewish teachers traditionally had prayers unique to their school. The prayer encapsulated the world view of the rabbi. It unified the pupils and gave them identity. It was an extension of the teacher; in fact, the prayer itself taught the disciples what was important and what they were about. The Shema for example (see Deut. 6:4-5), rehearsed by every devout Jew, reminded them about who God was and that they were to love him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Peter, James, John and the rest of Christ’s disciples wanted to know what prayer would set their school apart from that of John the Baptist.  

Teach us how to pray like John taught his disciples, they asked. The Lord replied, when you pray, say:   

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:1-4 KJV)   

In this prayer, Jesus sets forward a few critical mindsets that will mold those who consider themselves his disciples. Given the season of Advent that is upon us, one mindset is worth pointing out. The mindset is that as believers, we live in the waiting and long for his coming.  

The four weeks preceding Christmas has historically been called the Season of Advent for the Christian believer. This term comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means “arrival” or “coming.” Thus, the Advent Season is a time of celebrated waiting for Christmas to arrive.  A commemoration of the birth of Jesus – God with us. Picture children tearing off red and green paper linked chains as they count down the days till Christmas. Or adults celebrating the days leading up to Christmas with sights, sounds and flavors reserved for the season. We like to celebrate the coming. We like to celebrate the waiting.  

This anticipation, which is so palpable in December, is indicative of the type of people Christ is molding us into being with his prayer. “Thy kingdom come” produces in us a longing for Christ’s kingdom. People who recognize we live during the age of short, cold days and long, dark nights. People who understand that our Savior will not come from within us but from without. A salvation that will need to come to us, if the frost is to be thawed and the shadows brightened.    

Advent is a season that embodies this spirit of longing and hope in tangible ways. The anticipation is not just theoretical but felt. The coming is prepared in concrete ways such as synced schedules and hard fast plans. Reminders of the season are physical, such as the food we eat and the songs we sing. The season calls us to take seriously the celebration of Christ’s coming. This is the spirit that is matured in us by the Lord’s prayer. A heart that not only celebrates the waiting but longs for the coming. A faith that calls for heaven to be brought to earth. The desire for God to be with us.  

As disciples in the school of Christ, we are to be increasingly marked by our advent spirit – living in the waiting and longing for the coming. This spirit is to be an identifying mindset of who we are as believers. May we take this Christmas season as an opportunity to grow this mindset as we tangibly wait and long.   

Consider the following ideas to enrich your waiting and longing for Christ:  

• Take time for silence. Use this practice to embody your waiting for Christ.  
• Take time for feasting. Use this practice to celebrate Christ’s coming.  
• Take time for confession. Use this practice to prepare yourself for Christ’s coming.  
• Take time for solitude. Use this practice to develop a longing for Christ.  
• Take time for fellowship. Use this practice to remember Christ’s love for people.  
• Take time for fasting. Use this practice to engender longing for Christ within you.   
• Take time for giving. Use this practice to join Christ in his charity for mankind.  
• Take time for witnessing. Use this practice to announce Christ’s coming.  

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