Advent is a season observed in many Christian traditions as a time of preparation and anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. It is a season filled with expectation, longing, and reflection.
It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Eve. Traditionally, Christians use this period to consider the coming of the Messiah – not only His miraculous birth in Bethlehem, but also His coming into our hearts, and His promised return in glory.
In our modern world, thousands of beautifully crafted Advent calendars help mark each day of this season, with daily devotions accompanied by chocolates, small gifts, or Scripture readings. These practices help us slow down, reflect, and intentionally remember the story of redemption unfolding in the coming of Jesus.
But this morning, I invite us to look deeper—to consider Advent from three interwoven perspectives:
- The First Advent — Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
- The Personal Advent — Receiving Jesus into our lives.
- The Final Advent — The return of Jesus the Messiah.
All three are Advents because all three are comings of the Messiah.
Many believers don’t realize it, but Advent—though not celebrated in the early decades of the church—grew from a deeply Jewish longing.
The idea of waiting, anticipating, and preparing for the coming of the Messiah is not Christian in origin; it is profoundly Jewish.
The earliest Jesus-followers—Jewish disciples—lived in the constant hope of the Messiah’s appearance. And today, especially in the Orthodox Jewish community, that longing continues.
My aim this morning is to give a Messianic Jewish perspective on Advent—a perspective rooted in the promises given to Israel, and fulfilled in Yeshua.
I. The First Advent — The Birth of the Messiah
Israel’s great hope, stretching from the days of the prophets to the time of Yeshua, was the coming of the Messiah. This longing shows up in Matthew 2:1–6 when the Magi came seeking the newborn King of the Jews:n“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
Their search troubled Herod and all Jerusalem. Herod summoned the Jewish chief priests and scribes, asking where the Messiah was to be born. Without hesitation, they cited Micah 5:2: “In Bethlehem of Judea… out of you shall come forth a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”
These Jewish scholars knew the prophetic Scriptures well. They understood that Messiah’s birth was no mystery—it was written plainly by the prophets. This first aspect of Advent, then, centers on the promise God made that He would send a Redeemer.
One of the foundational promises came through Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your countrymen; you shall listen to him.”
This promise fascinated the Jewish people in Yeshua’s day. When they came to John the Baptist, they asked whether he was “the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet.”
“The Prophet” referred directly to that passage in Deut. 18. Moses said the Messiah would be like himself—a deliverer, a redeemer, a liberator who would rescue Israel from tyranny.
In the first century, Israel was under harsh Roman occupation. Many Jews believed they were reliving the days of Egypt—oppressed, taxed, and humiliated by foreign domination.
Naturally, they expected the coming Messiah to overthrow Rome and restore political independence. Their minds were filled with prophecies like Zech. 14:2–3: “Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.”
This is a lion-like Messiah—a warrior King.They were not wrong to expect this. Scripture teaches that Messiah will come as a conquering King. But what they missed is that before He comes as the Lion of Judah, He must first come as the Lamb of God.
Even some of the disciples were zealots—men actively hoping for a military uprising. So when Yeshua came in humility, calling people to repentance instead of revolt, He disappointed many expectations.
Instead He challenged the hypocrisy of the religious elites, who then conspired to eliminate Him. This was not the first time Israel demanded a different kind of leader.
In 1 Samuel 8:4–7 the people asked for a king “like all the other nations.” They wanted someone to fight their battles, to give them stability and prosperity. But God gently rebuked them: “They are rejecting Me, not you. They don’t want Me as be their King any longer.”
This desire for a visible political king instead of God Himself parallels the first-century hope for a political Messiah. Like ancient Israel, many failed to recognize that God Himself had taken on flesh and come among them as their King.
And so the First Advent calls us to recognize the true identity of Yeshua:The humble, lowly Redeemer who came first not to conquer Rome, but to conquer sin and death.
Isaiah said He would come as a lamb: “Like a lamb that is led to slaughter… so He did not open His mouth.” – Isaiah 53:7
The First Advent is a reminder:
- He came exactly as prophesied.
- He was born in Bethlehem.
- He came first as the Lamb before He returns as the Lion.
- He came to redeem both Jew and Gentile.
II. The Second Advent involves Receiving the Messiah Personally
Advent not only reminds us that Messiah came—but that He comes to us. The second aspect of Advent is personal: Have you received Him? Have you welcomed Him as King into your heart?
It is not enough to believe historically that Yeshua was born, or intellectually that He is Messiah. Redemption is not merely believing about Him—it is trusting in Him. To be redeemed means to be purchased. Our lives become His.
Yeshua said: “He who loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Matthew 16:25
Paul explained this profoundly in Romans 6:5–6: “Our old sinful selves were crucified with Messiah so that sin might lose its power in our lives.”
This is the miracle of new birth. This is what Advent calls us to remember: the Messiah comes into us. He makes His dwelling within us. He becomes our Master and King.
Paul often referred to himself as a “bondslave” of Messiah. Many believers misunderstand this image because they are unfamiliar with the Torah’s teaching on bondslaves in Exodus 21.
A bondslave was not a mistreated servant. Instead, Torah describes a man who, after being freed, chooses to stay with his master out of love: Exodus 21:5–6 “‘I love my master… I don’t want to go free.’ … His master shall pierce his ear… and he shall serve him forever.” –
Why would he do this?
- He loved his master.
- He trusted his master.
- He believed that life with his master was better than life alone.
- He feared returning to bondage under worse masters.
- He valued the family and blessings he gained under that master.
This is the picture of the believer. We were once in debt and bondage to sin. Yeshua paid our debt and set us free. Yet freedom does not mean returning to self-rule—it means willingly giving our lives to the One who redeemed us.
Advent calls us to say: “I love my Master. I trust Him. I don’t want to go my own way. I belong to Yeshua forever.” This is the joy of becoming the Lord’s servant.
But some drift from this. Some lose their first love. Some attempt to be their own master again, only to find themselves ensnared by sin. Advent is a call back home—a call to return to the One who loves us most.
Psalm 37:4–5 reminds us: “Delight yourself in the LORD…Commit your way to the LORD; trust also in Him…” God knows what will bless us far better than we do. To follow Him as Master is not bondage—it is freedom.
III. The Final Advent is The Return of the Messiah
The third Advent is perhaps the most overlooked: the return of Jesus the Messiah. This is not a minor theme of Scripture. It is mentioned in nearly every book of the New Testament. It is a core doctrine. It is a purifying hope.
John writes: “All who have this hope fixed on Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.” – 1 John 3:3
The hope of Messiah’s return has always formed the backbone of Jewish expectation. Daniel, Zechariah, and Isaiah all spoke of the glorious coming of Israel’s King. The New Testament reveals this with even greater clarity.
If we are God’s children, we must be holy and ready. Peter echoes Leviticus: “Be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:15–16
Yeshua calls us to readiness In Luke 12, giving four images calling His disciples to readiness:
- Be dressed for service—loins girded, like Israel on Passover night.
- Keep your lamps burning—filled with oil, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.
- Be like servants waiting for the master returning from a wedding feast—ready the moment He arrives.
- Be like a homeowner alert to a thief—not caught off guard.
Then He concludes in Luke 12:40: “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Messiah is returning. This is the blessed hope. Paul describes the first phase of His return in 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17: “The Lord Himself will descend… the dead in Messiah will rise… we who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.”
This is the promise to His bride—the redeemed—from every tribe and tongue.
Advent, then, is not merely about the first coming; it is a rehearsal for the second. It reminds us:
- To be spiritually awake.
- To keep our lamps filled.
- To stay clothed in righteousness.
- To serve faithfully until He comes.
Messiah is returning soon—first for His redeemed, and then to Israel to judge the nations and to reign from Jerusalem.
IV. Advent’s Call Today — Application for Our Lives
As we reflect on the three Advents—the birth, the personal reception, and the future return—what should we take away this season?
1. Believe the Promised Messiah Has Come
Advent affirms that:
- The prophecies are true.
- The Messiah was born exactly as foretold.
- Yeshua is the King God promised to Israel and the nations.
If you have never personally trusted Him, today is the day.
2. Receive Him as King and Master
We have been purchased. We are not our own. Advent calls us to surrender again—not out of fear, but out of love.
Like the bondslave, we say: “Lord, I love You. I trust You. I choose to stay with You forever.”
3. Return to Him if you have strayed
Some wander. Some try to live independent of their Master. Advent invites us back. He is good. He delights to restore.
4. Live ready for His coming – Be alert. Be faithful. Be holy.
Let your lamp be filled with oil. Let your life be found in His service. Let your heart long for His appearing.
Advent reminds us that the Messiah has come, is present, and is coming again. It lifts our eyes from the noise and busyness of the season and fixes them on the King of Kings.
This Advent season, I urge you: Believe in the Messiah of Israel. Receive Him as your Redeemer and Master. Return to Him with your whole heart. And be ready for His soon return.
In this “most wonderful time of the year,” may you welcome Him afresh into your life, trusting Him fully, and living in joyful expectation of the day we will see Him face-to-face.
Amen.
