Advent is a time of looking back so that we can properly look forward, while being in the present moment. A strange phenomena.  We look back on the prophetic word of God, which prepared the world for the coming of the Messiah. We rehear and reflect on this past word as a means of understanding and preparing better for the coming of the Lord in our present moment, as well as for his future second coming. At the same time, we do not live in the past nor in the future. But we live in the reality of our relationship with God as he comes to us in this present moment. The past helps us understand the ways of the Lord and what he expects of us as we prepare for his coming. Come, Lord Jesus, come!