Knox Now…
When Life Is Still Messy
Growth doesn’t wait for life to get tidy. Even when everything feels chaotic, we can still root ourselves in small, steady ways that move us toward deeper living.
Daily Meditation
By Rev Dr Richard Chung
Read by Members of the Knox Congregation
PRINT Daily Meditations for
December 28 to January 3, 2026
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Christian Seasons Fund Raiser
Seasons of the Christian Calendar through scripture, liturgical colour, with beautiful and meaningful artwork, beginning at Advent, on November 30th.This alternative way of remembering and living in the story of Jesus is a valuable resource for for all.
Weekly News & Notes
Live in person at Knox or View HERE January 4th
Next Worship
God Shows Up Uninvited
Second Sunday of Christmas (Communion)
on January 4, 2025
at 10 am
Reading: John 1:1–18
with Rev. Dr. Richard Chung
The True Meaning of Advent Is More Than A Countdown
In a world that rushes toward December 25th with a flurry of shopping lists and festive parties “Advent” offers a powerful balance. Beginning four Sundays before the “coming” of Christmas, Advent is more than a “pre-Christmas”. It is a season of expectant waiting, spiritual preparation, and hopeful anticipation.
At its core, Advent has a twofold purpose. The most familiar is the preparation to celebrate the first coming of Christ … Jesus as both fully divine and fully human begins with that humble nativity at Bethlehem, leading to his being an undocumented youth and refugee in Egypt, along the way seeking help. It is a time to reflect on the immense love and mystery of this birth. Equally important is Advent’s focus on the future. It is the season for Christians to prepare their hearts for the Second Coming of Christ. This dual focus on past and future gives the season its unique character of hope, joyful memory and awareness.
Scripture provides the foundation for this season. Key Old Testament passages, particularly from the prophet Isaiah, are central. Readings like Isaiah 9:6 (“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”) foretell the coming Messiah, while Isaiah 40:3 (“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord…’”) speaks to preparation. In the New Testament, the Gospels offer further insights. The Annunciation narrative in Luke 1 grounds the season in the story of Mary, while passages like Matthew 24:36-44 (“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him..” call believers to be alert and ready for the Son of Man’s return, directly addressing the Second Advent theme.
Unfortunately, the true meaning of Advent is often misrepresented. Most commonly as a misunderstanding that equates it with a commercial countdown calendar. While the countdown of Advent calendars are a frequent family tradition, the season is about spiritual readiness, not just daily treats. A common commercial view is Advent is just Christmas starting early. In reality, Advent has its own distinct mood, one of quiet reflection, repentance, and hope. The joyous, explosive celebration of the Christmas season doesn’t begin until Christmas Eve.
Advent is a wonderful invitation to slow down, to embrace quiet waiting, and to cultivate a heart ready to receive Christ … both in memory of Bethlehem and in hope of His return.
Shift: Finding Light in Life’s Transitions
- The Shift podcast series delves into life’s pivotal transitions—those moments of change that challenge and shape us. Through personal stories, reflections, and timeless wisdom, we uncover how to find clarity, purpose, and light, even in life’s most chaotic times.
- Light: When Clarity Emerges from ChaosIn this episode, Light, Richard explores how moments of darkness can pave the way for clarity. Through a heartfelt personal story of rejection and rediscovery, Richard uncovers how life’s dead ends can lead to unexpected purpose, reminding us that light always shines through the chaos.
- Self: Rediscovering Your Identity in ChangeDiscover how reconnecting with your roots, reflecting on key moments, and reaffirming what matters most can help you embrace your true self amidst life’s challenges.
- Flow: Turning Challenges into OpportunitiesLearn to adapt and thrive by turning obstacles into opportunities, inspired by lessons in resilience and transformation from everyday life.
- Purpose : Navigating a World in TransitionExplore how to rediscover purpose during life’s transitions with practical steps, humor, and insights to help you stay inspired, set meaningful goals, and find joy in every season of life.
- Purpose: Navigating a World in TransitionFind strength and resilience when the roads you knew are no longer available.
- Deep: Embracing the UnknownGoing deep in life—whether in risks, relationships, or challenges—can be terrifying, but it’s also where real growth and unexpected treasures are found.
- Blessing: Redefining Happiness in Times of ChangeReflect on what it means to be truly blessed and find fulfillment in unexpected places.
- Loving People Even When It’s HardIn this episode of Shift, Richard wrestles with the popular retirement advice to cut out negative people and ask—should relationships be about convenience, or is there a deeper legacy to leave behind?
- Strength for the Next ChapterThe power of hope—how it sustains us through life’s hardest moments, gives meaning to our struggles, and reminds us that the story isn’t over yet.is there a deeper legacy to leave behind?