Journeying through Advent :

Luke 21:25–36
Jeremiah 33:14–16

Advent Calendars

I wonder if Advent calendars or candles feature in your pre-Christmas preparations? Many children—and judging by the sophisticated Advent calendars now on the market, adults too—use them to prepare for the big day. Your church might have an Advent crown: four outer candles and an inner white candle, marking the four Sundays of Advent—our religious countdown to the festival. 

Already but not yet

What words describe Advent for you? One phrase we will consider today is “already but not yet”—a concept that emphasises both anticipation and partial fulfilment. This phrase captures the tension between Christ’s first coming (already) at that first Christmas and the anticipation of His second coming (not yet). 

We balance celebrating the birth of Jesus—a birth that signals hope, fulfilment, and joy—with leaving space for the anticipation of God’s ultimate promise: a time when His reign on earth will be complete. Advent reflects our longing and desire for a future free from pain, war, and inequality. 

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s *The Lord of the Rings*, this “already but not yet” theme is woven throughout the story. The characters’ quest to defeat Sauron and restore peace to Middle-earth illustrates this well. Frodo destroys the One Ring, marking Sauron’s decisive defeat—the “already” part. Yet Middle-earth isn’t entirely free from darkness, as the scars of war remain and the restoration of communities continues—the “not yet.” 

Advent Readings

During Advent, we focus on both the first Christmas and its implications, but on this first Sunday, the Bible readings help us think about the Second Coming. In Luke 21:25–36, Jesus, speaking in the temple shortly before His crucifixion, offers a prophetic vision of cosmic signs, human fear, redemption, and the need for watchfulness. We are challenged to stay alert and aware. 

Jeremiah 33:14–16 also reflects this theme, combining warnings of judgement and exile with God’s promise of restoration and hope. These passages may feel heavy, but reflecting on the Second Coming is not meant to threaten or diminish our Christmas joy. Instead, it calls us to explore the promise of hope and restoration, encouraging us to live faithfully in the present as we anticipate the fullness of God’s presence. 

This anticipation is less about fearing judgement and more about embracing the joy of being with God, participating in His work of love, justice, and mission. Advent invites us to consider what makes us fully alive, at peace with ourselves, our world, and God. Perhaps this season, we might prioritise quality time with loved ones over material gifts. 

The Second Coming represents the ultimate fulfilment of God’s intention to “be with” humanity. Just as the Incarnation and the cross show God’s commitment to creation, the Second Coming signifies the completion of His redemptive plan. It is a promise of Christ’s return, urging us to trust in the final victory of love and justice. 

Advent waiting

Our Advent waiting and watching is active, not passive. Instead of despairing about the world’s troubles, we ask God to show us signs of His love at work. We are called to embody the values of God’s kingdom now, living with hope, joy, and love as a foretaste of the new creation. 

Where have we seen signs of hope, joy, and love? Perhaps in the young pianist from NightChurch in Penzance, raising money for the homeless, or medics volunteering in war-torn regions. Perhaps in people we’ve encountered this week who have brought love and joy to others. 

The Second Coming inspires us to be “faithfully present,” engaging with the world not in despair or escapism, but in confident anticipation of God’s restorative work. It reminds us that our lives matter, that people’s lives matter, and that God’s ultimate plan is to heal and renew, not destroy. 

Advent challenge

This Advent, we are called to see Christ’s coming in the everyday—in relationships, nature, and acts of love and justice. We work for peace and reconciliation, participating in God’s ongoing mission of renewal. 

In the new film “Paddington in Peru”, the beloved bear embarks on a thrilling adventure to his home country to help Aunt Lucy. During his journey, he faces challenges, meets vibrant characters, and ultimately discovers what truly matters: love, identity, and belonging. 

Let us pray that this Advent season may be a spiritual journey of discovery—the joy of “being with” the God who transforms our world. “Already but not yet”,  as we wait in hope and expectation: “Come, thou long-expected Jesus.”