Making Advent Great (Again) with Mike Morrell and John Pavlovitz
Nov 16, 2017
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Mike Morrell, co-author of The Divine Dance, and John Pavlovitz, author of A Bigger Table, dive into reviving the spirit of Advent. They discuss the impact of recent events on modern spirituality and the importance of community connection. The duo emphasizes crafting personal truth amidst holiday pressures and engaging in authentic conversations during family gatherings. They also reflect on the radical roots of Advent, using humor and nostalgia to foster hope and resilience in these challenging times.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of building genuine community to foster spiritual renewal and overcome feelings of disillusionment during Advent.
Discussion highlights the role of forgiveness and healing in navigating family dynamics, encouraging intentionality amid political and social tensions.
Deep dives
Reimagining Advent in a Turbulent World
This podcast episode discusses the need to re-energize the Advent season amid widespread feelings of disillusionment and despair due to global conflicts and domestic challenges. The hosts reflect on their common struggles with engaging in traditional holiday practices when faced with a turbulent backdrop, including instances of violence and cultural upheaval. They propose creating a pop-up community that aims to foster spiritual renewal and resistance, acknowledging that many individuals feel disconnected from the sentiment of anticipation traditionally associated with Advent. By forming a supportive network, they intend to inspire participants to confront their experiences and rediscover the deeper meanings of the season.
Exploring Themes of Community and Connection
The conversation emphasizes the importance of building genuine community among individuals seeking solace and understanding within their spiritual practices and values. The hosts share their diverse backgrounds and experiences in church ministry, highlighting a mutual desire for compassionate dialogue and connection within their local faith communities. They reveal that many people grappling with religious discontent still seek to engage with core principles such as love, justice, and mercy, creating a shared foundation to explore and express their beliefs. Their commitment to establishing a welcoming environment allows varied responses to complicated discussions around faith and social issues.
Forgiveness and Healing During the Holidays
The episode addresses the themes of forgiveness and healing as crucial elements for navigating family dynamics during the holiday season. The hosts introduce specific contemplative practices aimed at fostering deeper connections and understanding among family members, particularly in light of political and social tensions. Highlighting the teachings of figures like Desmond Tutu and Buddhist traditions, they delve into the complex nature of forgiveness, emphasizing that it doesn’t mean condoning past actions but rather reclaiming one's agency toward reconciliation. By encouraging participants to approach family gatherings with intention and awareness, they aim to help individuals cultivate a transformative holiday experience.
Engaging with Social and Political Realities
The dialogue also touches on the intersection of faith, politics, and activism, especially in the context of recent political developments and the need for meaningful engagement. The hosts reflect on how progressive Christians have been challenged to reawaken their civic responsibilities and engage with local communities proactively. They note the importance of acknowledging systemic issues and striving for collective compassion rather than allowing personal feelings or biases to dominate discussions. By fostering an authentic engagement that incorporates both faith and action, they highlight the potential for creating a more just and inclusive atmosphere, particularly during a season typically associated with goodwill and unity.
Why do they want to make Advent great again? What's happened to make Advent not great?
Learn a little bit about the organizers behind #MAGA (not that MAGA), what inspired them to make Advent great again, and what you can expect.
Plus, they reflect on the 2016 election a year later, where they find hope, the fate of the progressive church, and personal challenges around the holidays.
We’ve heard a lot from our friends this season - Jesus-followers and spiritual free-agents, activists and artists, ministers and moms - that you just can’t this Christmas: shopping for gifts, making plans to see family, lighting the Advent candles, awaiting the birth of the Christ-child anew. It all feels so remote.Many of us are struggling. What on earth does ‘Emmanuel’ mean when the world’s going mad?
We’ll give you daily reflections that plant potent seeds of hope to counter the weeds of that Grinch-ly other #MAGA. We’re offering a weekly check-in video that you can tune into live (or whenever you want) where we’ll cover:
Mother Mary and Us: Recovering a Radical Christmas of Renewal & Resistance
How to Go Home for the Holidays without Losing Your Soul
Grounding in the Ultimate Gift: The Advent of Us
We’re providing a private, safer-space discussion group where we can be totally honest about our struggles and breakthroughs. A ‘home base’ to truly Make Advent Great Again, one day at a time
The cost? Contribute whatever you can to help make this possible for everyone. The suggested donation is $20, but no one is turned down for lack of funds.