The word advent simply means "arrival."  We refer to the First and Second Advents of Christ.  The First Advent (or arrival) is also known as the "incarnation."  The Second Person of the Triune God took on flesh and lived among what He made...us.  We celebrate this initiative of God to a broken world and broken people.  From the cradle to the cross we see the image of God the Father unfolding.  We learn about what God is like from Christ the Anointed One.  In fact, Jesus said that to see Him was to see the Father!  These 4-5 weeks before Christmas are a great time to remember and celebrate the first arrival of Jesus Christ.  We also believe in a Second Advent, we believe Jesus Christ is coming again.  When He comes the second time He will not come as a baby and grow up to be the Suffering Sacrifice for our sins.  His second arrival will be as King and Sovereign Lord.  He will come as Judge not as Savior.  In our Advent celebration we are looking back at what He has done but we do this with a glance forward to what He will do.  As certainly as He came the first time He will come again.  Are you ready?