December 11thCapturing the Moment: Creating Space for Advent's Arrival
- by Brian Quan
"Dad! Look, someone posted your eclipse photo on Facebook! You’re practically famous now!"
My son is always eager to point out my new celebrity status. And sure enough, there it was: my hard-earned photo of the solar eclipse making its rounds on social media without so much as a credit to me, of course. Fame without the fortune or recognition— just another chapter in my life story. But seeing my photo pop up like that brought me right back to those weeks of meticulous planning for the big cosmic event. I’d checked the weather obsessively, hoping for clear skies, making sure every detail was perfect to catch that fleeting moment. Of course, the day itself was gray and overcast, and it seemed like even the clouds were conspiring against my perfect shot. But at the right moment, I scrambled up the ladder, set the camera, and waited, heart pounding, eyes on the sky. And for a few precious seconds, everything lined up just right.
Just like framing that perfect shot, Advent requires us to be both patient and prepared...
Advent challenges us to let go of our default settings.
Entering into Advent feels a lot like this. We’re invited to step away from the ordinary, to open our hearts and wait with anticipation for something that stirs wonder within us and lifts us beyond the rhythms of daily life. Just like framing that perfect shot, Advent requires us to be both patient and prepared, ready to capture and take in moments of grace when it arrives.
Advent can be stressful for just about everyone. It is a season of Christmas shopping, holiday gatherings, endless To-Do lists. It’s a season that blends joy, celebration and creating memories. For some, the holidays may bring up deep-seated struggles—grief, guilt, even the creeping feeling that everyone else seems joyful while we’re just trying to make it through. Advent isn't just about waiting; it’s also about making things right, clearing a path for Christ in our lives and in our relationships.
Making Things Right (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)
In this reading from 1 Thessalonians, Paul prays for a love that overflows. Not just enough love for those who are nice to you, but love that’s generous, uncontainable. In a world that can be as self-centered as a camera lens, Advent challenges us to let go of our default settings. This season invites us to think less about what we want and more about the ways we can bring light of Christ to the people around us.
We’re not just waiting for Christ; we’re clearing the path in our own hearts.
Advent waiting isn’t passive; it’s active and relational. Advent is a season for actively working toward reconciliation and renewal. For most of us, that starts in the relationships right around us. We’re not just waiting for Christ; we’re clearing the path in our own hearts. It can mean making apologies we’ve been putting off or being open to having those uncomfortable family conversations. This prayer invites us to courageously open our hearts, creating generous space to welcome Christ and the love He brings.
- Brian Quan is pastor at Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church.