Anticipation is the key to the advent season as we are reminded that one day Jesus will return to put into order all that was intended in creation and was lost through the sin of mankind.  The first written record of the New Testament is that of 1 Thessalonians.  Even though we place it later in our collection, it is the earliest of writings.

A significant portion of Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessaloniki is about this key subject of anticipating Christ’s return.  “Therefore spur one another on towards love and good deeds and all the more as you see the day approaching|” he writes.  The phrase “the day approaching” is the focus – that the day is still approaching might be a mystery to some and a disappointment to many.  But like a young child who knows Christmas is coming it is not the length to wait that he/she dwells on, it is the anticipation of what happens when the day arrives.

So we will head off shortly to worship with our church family and to anticipate the joy of the coming King.