Advent and the Already-But-Not-Yet

O God, who makest us glad with the yearly expectation of thy coming, grant that we, who with joy receive thy only-begotten Son as our Redeemer, may without fear behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, even thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Book and CandleThe traditional Elizabethan English prayer listed above is the closing collect for the Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols service that IWS is hosting this Sunday, December 8. This prayer beautifully summarizes the spiritual focus of the Advent season.

Advent emphasizes what has been described by theologians as the “already, but not yet,” the time between the first and second comings of Jesus, between the Kingdom unveiled and the Kingdom fulfilled. In a sense, the “already but not yet” is also the time between our own births and deaths. In Advent we hear anew the call to order our affairs rightly, to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly before God. We are reminded not be mistaken-there is an end coming, both our own and the consumation of all things in the Lord’s return. But, the end leads to a more glorious restoration, a true fulfillment.

Jim Hart BoardMeanwhile, we wait and watch in active vigilance by ordering our homes and our lives according to God’s revelation in scripture and His presence among us.

Thanks be to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

About the author

Dr. James R. Hart served as President of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies from 2007-2024. Dr. Hart was a member of the first IWS doctoral class, the Alpha class, and served as Dean of Students during his matriculation. After graduating from IWS, Dr. Webber appointed him as the Dean of Administration, and then Provost in 2006. In June of 2007, he was inaugurated as the second president of IWS. Dr. Hart holds a B.M. in Sacred Music from Oral Roberts University, an M.M. in Trumpet Performance from the University of Tulsa, and a D.W.S. from the Institute for Worship Studies. He was critical to the formation of IWS in Florida and has held administrative responsibilities since its inception in 1999. He is a professional trumpeter, choral director, and worship leader, and a published composer/arranger, songwriter, and author. He has been involved in worship leadership in various contexts around the globe for over 40 years and has taught in the areas of worship, theology, and music in various conferences, colleges, and seminaries. Dr. Hart and his wife, Carol, have three daughters and three grandchildren.

Archives

Categories