Advent means arrival—the moment when something, or Someone, comes toward us. It’s also closely tied to the idea of adventure, “what is about to happen.” Both words carry a sense of anticipation and new beginnings. Advent is not only a remembrance of Christ’s birth; it is the invitation to recognize God drawing near again in our present moment.
One of history’s greatest discoveries began quietly. In 1848, James Marshall noticed a small shimmer in a mill ditch—an unremarkable moment that sparked the California Gold Rush and reshaped a nation. Great movements often begin this way: not with spectacle, but with a shimmer easily overlooked.
The Advent story works the same way. The birth of Jesus—God becoming human—arrived in humility and simplicity, surprising both ancient Greeks and Israelites who had no category for a God in flesh. Yet this is precisely why the story holds such power: it is not a tale humanity would invent, but one our weary world desperately needs. John reminds us that the Child in the manger is the eternal Word through whom all things were made, full of truth and unfailing love.
Ours is still a weary world. We feel the weight of disconnection, pressure, and unmet longing. Advent speaks into this reality, declaring that the true Light has come. Like the memorial in Anthem, Arizona—where sunlight illuminates a hidden design only once a year—Christ reveals what has been present all along: God’s heart, grace, and presence in our midst.
At Christ Journey, the time capsule beneath our Christmas tree is a symbol of this truth. Placed by leaders decades ago, it represents gifts planted in one season for people in another. Advent is just such a gift. God prepared salvation long before we knew to ask for it, and now invites us to open it with renewed wonder.
As we begin this Advent season, may we slow down, see the shimmer, and receive the gift of Christ with fresh eyes. And may we also join God in sharing this gift—through small steps of faith, generosity, and hope—to those who have yet to encounter Him.
Discussion Questions:
1. What ordinary moments in your life might God be using to reveal something new?
2. How does the humility of Jesus’ arrival reshape your understanding of God?
3. Where do you feel “weary,” and how does Advent speak into that?
4. What is one small step you sense God inviting you to take this season?
5. How can you help carry the gift of Christ to someone else this Advent?
