Advent Week 1 "Unstuck"

Photo by R Sawan White

We all find ourselves stuck on occasion. Whether we are literally stuck, such as in a beanbag chair or when driving in snow without snow tires, or whether we are figuratively stuck, like in a bad habit or routine, the defining variable is that we cannot easily move or extricate ourselves.

We can be stuck for minutes or even years, or minutes that seem like years. Regardless of the length of time, it is difficult to get unstuck. The best thing that can happen in these situations is that a friend shows up to help either by pulling us out or by encouraging us. 

As we begin Advent this year we want to  consider all the ways in which we are stuck. This year, I find that I am stuck in cynicism for all things “Christian-y,” which is a little problematic during Advent and the Christmas season and I am not sure why that is. It might be that I still feel anger for how the Church has hurt so many people or how the weaponization of Christianity has distorted Jesus’ message of love into something used to propagate hate.  When I hear common associations with cultural Christianity such as “I’ll be praying … ” or even certain Christmas songs,  I can feel myself shutting down and it’s all I can do to NOT roll my eyes – even when it comes from someone with a genuine loving faith. 

Advent is a time of hopeful anticipation, of waiting for that friend to show up and help us out. While we wait in hopeful anticipation, we know a friend, Jesus, is coming. It is certain. And he will help us to become unstuck in ways we can never be freed on our own.

My hope during this Advent is that I can find joy in the waiting. I will be using the Advent Meditation Guide as part of my personal faith practice. I invite you to  join me on this Advent journey toward the arrival of our Savior and the hope we have in his promise to help us become unstuck, no matter what it is that’s holding us back from being able to find joy in the waiting.