Enter Advent - Hope Is Here New Song Church OKC

Advent - adventus = arrival.
Advent is about recognizing what God, through Jesus, has done, is doing, and will do.
N.T. WrightChristmas has become cozy. Advent calls us to stay awake.
Hope, Love, Joy and Peace
1. We Look Back In Celebration 
John 1:14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
God is often working in ways that we can't see
Louie GiglioEven if we don't see it, God is always working underneath the surface, behind the scenes and orchestrating His plans and purposes.
Romans 8:32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Celebrate Now! 
Isaiah 45:15Clearly, you are a God who works behind the scenes, God of Israel, Savior God.
Romans 8:32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
2. We Look Forward In Anticipation 
John 14:1“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Revelation 22:12-13“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Revelation 22:17The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”
Revelation 22:20He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. 
Timothy KellerGod's Kingdom is present in its beginnings, but still future in its fullness.
Billy Graham“The second coming of Christ will be so revolutionary that it will change every aspect of life on this planet. Christ will reign in righteousness. Disease will be arrested. Death will be modified. War will be abolished. Nature will be changed. Man will live as it was originally intended he should live.”
Find Your Comfort In Jesus 
Matthew 11:28Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
1 Peter 5:7Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
Casting - epiriptō  = to throw something on on someone else. 
3. We Join In Participation 
St. Bernard of ClairvauxAdvent prepares not just for the first coming of Christ to Israel, or even the second at the end of time. There is a third coming between these two in which Jesus comes in spirit and power for our rest and consolation. 
Luke 2:10“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 
When Jesus was born in the manger, hope was born in the manger.
Matthew 28:20Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
When Jesus was born in the manger, hope was born in the manger. 
Revelations 3:20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Henri NouwenThe Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord
When Jesus was born in the manger, hope was born in the manger.