The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and invites participants to reflect on the arrival of Jesus. For many, the beginning of Advent marks a countdown to Christmas Day and Jesus’ birth. But throughout church history, Advent meant more than the birth of our Savior.

The word “advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” In Acts 7:52, the Greek word eleusis, which translates to “coming” or “advent,” is used to describe the Son of God arriving on Earth, born as Jesus of Nazareth. However, church tradition also recognized Advent as a time to emphasize Jesus’ future arrival. We anticipate not only Jesus’ birth during the Christmas season, but we also anticipate His second coming. This time of year reminds us that we’re living between Jesus’ first and second advent.

As a season of reflection and contemplation, Advent invites us to imagine a different kind of hope, rooted in the unchanging nature of God and His promise to restore every part of His creation. Advent hope does not minimize pain or difficulty, nor does it assume things will soon get better. Instead, it faces the darkness with courage and chooses to trust that God’s promises will come to pass, guaranteed by His long-proven, faithful character.

In the Hebrew Bible, the words most often used for hope—qavah and yakhal—are also translated as “wait.” To hope in God means to wait with patient expectation, trusting that he will fulfill his promises. This kind of waiting leans forward, anticipating the day when Jesus will return to make all things new.

Let us read this Bible plan with hopeful anticipation of our Savior's birth and His future arrival!