Advent starts on Sunday (Nov. 30th). It is the beginning of the Christian Year that will take us through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and culminating in Trinity Sunday. I am so excited to think about how this is the FIRST time that St. George’s Anglican Community as a family, will journey together with Christ through these seasons. I pray that God will reveal Himself to us and draw us into Him over the next year.

Advent literally means “coming.” It is the time when we focus upon the Advent of the Messiah. Now what we know about His Advent is that there are actually two advents. The First happened 2000 years ago at the Incarnation, when God took upon human flesh and was born as a baby. The Second has not happened yet, but it is our hope as we look forward to the Day when King Jesus comes again to “judge the living and the dead.”

Early in the Advent Season we focus upon this Second Advent, so there is a penitential nature to it. We have to reflect upon the question, “are we ready to meet Jesus?” and “how are we living this out the gift of eternal life knowing His return is imminent?” But before we enter into this penitential time, I want to remind us of this truth, that as Christians, we relate to God as our Father. This is no small statement.

I recently read (reread) “Knowing God” by the Anglican theologian J.I. Packer. This is an essential book for any believer. In his chapter on “Sons of God,” he writes:

Adoption is…the highest privilege that the gospel offers: higher even than justification (186).

That is one bold statement! Packer is thoroughly Reformed and takes the Doctrine of Justification by Faith seriously. But he believes that the Doctrine of our Adoption as Sons of God is a higher “privilege.” He explains it this way:

Adoption is higher, because of the richer relationship with God that it involves…Justification is a forensic idea, conceived in terms of law, viewing God as judge. In justification, God declares of penitent believers that they are not, and never will be, liable to death that their sins deserve, because Jesus Christ, their substitute and sacrifice, tasted death in their place on the cross…Adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father. In adoption, God takes us into His family and fellowship, and establishes us as His children and heirs. Closeness, affection and generosity are at the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the father is a greater (187-188).

This is what I want us to keep at the forefront of our hearts and minds as we journey through Advent together. If you have trusted in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, you have not only been justified by God, but you have been adopted by Him as your Father. Remember this as you contemplate how you are living out your relationship with Him.

Shane+