The Advent of Our King

Staggered cookie distribution between showers for the boys, lego clean up, and a late-working husband, not to mention a fussy, tired baby. This is Advent and not just 2020. This is Advent for a busy household with little kids.

We ended up gathering in the girls’ room to sing our nightly Advent song, discuss our focus for the season, and pray they all sleep well tonight. We sang through a simple hymn called “The Advent of our King.” Each verse is only four lines, so the whole tune takes about a minute-thirty to sing. We sang it through a couple of times.

“Tribute is not a real word, Mom,” chimes my four-year old with rolling eyes. So we talked about that!

I explained that a tribute is a gift given to someone who saves you. It could be said, given the context of tributes in war, that it is a payment to someone who conquers you. The kids reserved their belief a little longer. “What do you mean conquer?”

“Well, yes,” I said, “Jesus is the great conqueror, isn’t he? He conquered sin and death and Satan, all for us. He saved us from all those things. We certainly owe him tribute. We give him the tribute of our entire lives. And we show that we are doing this by acting in kindness and love to those around us in His name.”

I encouraged the kids to really think about how to show an abundance of kindness during the Advent season this year. We are trying to think outside the box of just saying “please” and “thank you.” What could they do to really surprise someone with kindness? Clear some else’s dinner plate, say a prayer for someone, write a love card, make your bed without being asked, make someone else’s bed!

A few days ago, we started writing down these acts of kindness on little strips of orange and brown (being out of yellow) construction paper and adding them to a manger in our living room, thus preparing a place for Jesus in our home and hearts. Tonight’s hymn fit right in with our current, daily conversation. Blessed providence.

Of course, this kindness activity challenges me, as well. I’m happy to say I did take time to write a little love note to my husband today to include with his lunch delivery. The more I mention it to the kids, the more I realize that I really need a good shaking out of myself to get to the heart of kindness. I must decrease, so He may increase.

What else can we do for one another to show real, thoughtful kindness?

Enjoy the lyrics below.
THE ADVENT OF OUR KING (Williams/Coffin)

1. The advent of our King
Our thoughts must now employ;
Then let us meet him on the road
With songs of holy joy.

2. The coeternal Son
A maiden’s offspring see;
A servant’s form Christ putteth on,
To set his people free.

3. In glory from his throne
Again will Christ descend,
And summon all who are his own
To joys that never end.

4. Our joyful praises sing
To Christ, who set us free;
Like tribute to the Father bring,
And Holy Ghost, to thee.