This issue looks at Advent by exploring the prophecies and promises in the Old Testament, the writings about Advent by the early Church Fathers, and what Advent means for us today.
While our season of Advent remembers the birth of our Savior, the incarnation of God humbling himself in human form, the Advent season also reflects our waiting for his return. We prepare, remember, tell others, sing, and worship until his final and glorious return when we can say, “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Rev 21:3).
The church season of Advent is now upon us. It’s the start of a new Church year. As tempting as it is to make the four weeks of Advent into an extended on-ramp to Christmas (as all the retailers and radio stations invite us to do!), I would encourage us to consider an alternative. I would encourage us to rest in the Old Testament prophets this Advent, and to learn to long for God’s coming with them.
The advent of Jesus Christ was absolutely central to the faith of the early Church Fathers. This is not to say that they celebrated a season of Advent like us (we don’t have information surviving on that). Regardless, Jesus Christ’s arrival (advent) was valued immensely for a variety of reasons.
The moment the melody begins, the song is recognizable. The tune is known as Veni Emmanuel. The words were originally written in Latin in the 8th century and were chanted by Benedictine monks. The English translation was penned in 1851 by an Anglican priest and scholar named John Mason Neale. We know it simply as O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Get to know the incoming Fall 2026 students at Lutheran Brethren Seminary.
Brandon Pangman / North American Mission
REACH wrapped up on Sunday, September 20. It was a powerful weekend of believers coming together to become better and more comfortable in an uncomfortable calling.
I am so grateful for the privilege to partner in mission with our sister CLB churches around the globe. We have much to learn from each other and we have much to contribute to each other as we join together with our missionary God in his mission among the nations.
We are all living in a time of waiting. We are waiting for Christ to come back. We long to see our savior with our own eyes. Then all of this waiting, all of this expectation, all the suffering and loss and wretchedness of this life will finally be done. Then our waiting will be complete and we will have our prize. A prize so much better than any simple Christmas present.
