All this December here at To Live is Christ Family we will be having an “Animal Advent.” We will move through the Bible together to see how God has used animals to prepare us for the birth of Jesus and the future return of Jesus.
What is an Advent?
Great question. Advent simply means arrival. Like the arrival of baby Jesus at Christmas. But there is also the Second Advent of Jesus when he will return to rescue his people and rule the Earth.
Often Christians talk about the season of Advent. The “Advent Season” is that time of waiting for the arrival of Jesus. The season of Advent begins on December 1 as we wait for the arrival of Jesus on December 25. But it’s also important for us to let this Christmas Advent season point our hearts to the second advent of Christ that is yet to come. The Christian life is one of waiting for Jesus. We are always in a season of advent as we wait the arrival of our Savior King.
Why animals?
I don’t know about you, but I love animals. When I was young I wanted to be a zookeeper. I still love watching shows and learning about animals. The Bible is full of animals. I believe God has used animals to point us to Jesus and to teach us about himself and about us.
What’s your favorite animal? Chances are it is in the Bible. But the Bible is also full of many different kinds of animals and creatures. God made them all, and God uses them all for his glory. This includes the glory of pointing us to the coming of Jesus.
What do animals have to do with To Live is Christ?
To live is Christ is all about our connection to Jesus. As long as the animals in the Bible can teach us about Jesus, they can teach us about how we can live in connection to him. For example, if a giant fish reminds us that you can’t run away from God, then it can also remind us that Jesus wants us to stay close to him. Or if a spotless lamb reminds us that God wants to forgive our sin, then we can also know that Jesus will be our true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. So being connected to Jesus means having no more sin.
And that’s to live is Christ.
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