What is an Advent calendar for?  Do we need it to remind us that Christmas is coming?  No, but it can be a fun part of the anticipation.

The thing about Advent calendars is that they count down to a specific target.  We know exactly how many days are left until the big event, and we pretty much know what to expect when that day comes, even if there are some surprises under wrap.

But what about the anticipation for the first Christmas?  There was no Advent calendar counting down the days for Jesus’ arrival.  In fact, it was just the opposite.  God had promised that a Messiah would come, but years, not days, piled one on top of another without any glimmer of fulfillment.

Some background:  Israel was a special nation, God’s chosen people. Under King David, they were victorious; his kingdom was marked by glory, wealth, and power.  But later, they were conquered and scattered.  Not only that, the temple, the center of their worship, was destroyed, and the ark, the symbol of God’s presence with them, disappeared.

It’s hard for us to fully appreciate the significance of this, but for them, it meant loss of identity, their connection with God broken, oppression, and darkness.

Into the darkness of estrangement, loss, and enslavement, Isaiah spoke these words to God’s people.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.  Isaiah 9:6-7

 So, trusting in these promises, God’s people were waiting for their Messiah, their savior from oppression, who would restore them into full relationship with God and to their former glory as His people.  But they didn’t know when he was coming.  They didn’t have an Advent calendar.  In fact, the years of waiting stretched out one after another.  It would be over 400 years before the prophecies would be fulfilled.

Think about what they were waiting for.

What are you waiting for?

In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.  John 1:4-5