Restored and Protected

When the chaos of the season steals Claire McGarry’s joy, she finds her perspective restored and protected at an evening Advent service. 

When my husband needed a new pair of prescription glasses, he was looking at photochromic lenses. They look like normal, transparent glasses but darken when exposed to sunlight to protect the eyes from harmful rays.   

I had an experience yesterday that made me feel like those glasses.   

I’d been having a great Advent — remaining truly present to what I was doing, relaxing into the chaos and going with the flow. Holiday events had been a lot of fun, and my prayer time had been meaningful and rooted in the reason for the season. Until this week …  

Regressing in the chaos  

This week, I fell back into my old ways — putting expectations on things and just going through the motions in my prayer time. That combination always leads to a crash and burn for me, which is exactly what happened.   

Beaten down and weary, I went to a candle lit Advent service at my church. The space was dark except for small lights over the altar and candles strewn about. It created an atmosphere so intimate, it felt like it was just the priest, God and me there.  

Yet, as much as I thought I’d feel complete peace the minute I walked in, it took kneeling at the Consecration for a change to truly take place. There was something about that posture of deep reverence, in the dark, seemingly just God and me, that helped me surrender. As my heart cracked opened, the frustration and disappointment stored there poured right out.   

I yearned to stay there, surrendered at God’s feet, but the Mass continued on. So, I had to too. To my great relief, they rolled right into Adoration at the close of Mass.  

Transformed at His feet  

As I knelt back down, completely empty and open, I could physically feel God filling me with grace. Like those glasses that change when exposed to the sun, my heart transformed in the brilliance of His presence. I felt rejuvenated, and my vision was restored so I could see the multitude of blessings in my life. As my heart swelled with gratitude for them, I felt the anticipation of Jesus’ upcoming birth grow and grow.  

Moreover, like those lenses that change to deflect the harmful rays of the sun, the change in me felt so profound, I knew it would be protected from the harsh glare of the chaos that had stolen my joy before.  

For reasons I don’t understand, my husband decided against those tint-changing lenses. I, however, fully embrace and promote any photochromic experience you can find that protects your perspective so you too see only joy this Christmas season. 

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Copyright 2024 Claire McGarry
Images: Canva