In thinking of Advent, I want to focus on the fact that the true purpose of Christ’s coming to live among us was so that He would eventually die on the cross and be resurrected.  We wouldn’t have needed Christ to come as a pure, innocent baby and experience all of life as we do if we hadn’t needed Him to take on our sins so that we could one day be in Heaven with Him.  So, one of the meanings of Advent is Rise, and I think that is appropriate for us to direct our attention towards His true purpose.

God’s Son took on our flesh and walked on Earth with us because the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) loved us so much that they wanted to be in close relationship with us.  But, the only way to restore the intimate fellowship that Adam and Eve had with God was for their to be a worthy sacrifice made that would cover all of mankind.  The blood of animals couldn’t accomplish it; gifts of grains and fruits or even a thousand Hail Mary’s wouldn’t suffice; money was certainly not going to buy our way into right relationship with our Father.  

Jesus knew this before He left His Father’s side; He understood what was required of Him…..and yet, He came…..and a star rose to announce His coming and light the way for men to find Him.