The season of Advent began this past Sunday. Four weeks in the Christian calendar to reflect on the coming of Christ into the world – Emmanual, God with us. The word Advent is derived from the Latin ‘Adventus,’ which literally means ‘coming.’ The King is coming. The King has come. The King has come for you. The King will come again.
‘Adventus’ is the Latin translation of the Greek word ‘Parousia,’ which is used throughout the New Testament by Paul, and the other New Testament authors. Parousia was used to describe the second coming of Christ, when He returns in glory at the end of the age.
Parousia was a common term in the Roman Empire at the time. It was a term used to describe the arrival of the Emperor in an outlying city, town, or province. Along with that arrival was the expectation that the citizenry would properly welcome the Emperor, preparing feasts, and adorning themselves and their homes in their best finery. For the Emperor alone was to be revered and worshipped.
When the Apostle Paul and other early Christians used Parousia to refer to the second coming of Christ, it was a rejection of the notion of worshiping earthly figures. Specifically, Ceaser. This was a risky proposition in the Empire, at a time when Rome was prone to persecution of any perceived rival allegiances. “Ceaser is lord,” was the dictate of the state. Proclaiming Jesus was to say, “No, he’s not.”
Celebrating Parousia, to remember Christ’s first coming and to anticipate in hope His second, was subversive, an act of rebellion against the worldly empire.
Two thousand years later, there is still much which demands our allegiance. We’ve fractured into political tribes that demand unyielding obedience and broker no dissent. Our attention is addicted to screens and the dopamine hit from headline induced anger. There’s any number of things that are clamoring for us to acknowledge them as lord over our lives. Some are subtle, distracting us from what is true, and good, and beautiful, while others are more overt.
Whatever our would-be overlords are, now is time to break free of their chains. To rebel against the things that would consume our attention and our souls. To focus instead on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Advent is an invitation to reflect and prepare for the coming of the one true King, the lord and creator of all. To put away the things of this world and adorn ourselves in the finery of the fruits of the spirit, and prepare to celebrate the ‘adventus’ of the Lord into His kingdom. It’s time to act like Emmanuel is Lord of all. Because He is.
Be subversive. Be a rebel. Celebrate Parousia.
P.A. Tennant – Advent, 2025
Soli Deo Gloria
Photo: The Second Coming of Jesus, detached fresco by unknown artist, c. 1300. Glencairn Museum, Bryn Athyn, PA. Photograph by Edwin Herder. https://www.glencairnmuseum.org/
Copyright 2025 Paul A. Tennant
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P.A. Tennant 