304: For When You Don't Have a Church at Christmas
Dec 5, 2023
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In this episode, Emily P. Freeman addresses the challenges of the Advent season when you don't have a church or community, offering solace and suggestions for finding temporary sanctuaries. They discuss the importance of engaging liturgies and rituals during Christmas and recommend Advent readings. The speaker offers a toast and prayer for those without a church, encouraging them to find hope and simple liturgies. Reflecting on naming communities and sanctuaries, they introduce Advent collections available in the Quiet Collection app and invite listeners to join the global community of believers.
Finding beloved communities in unexpected places can provide meaningful connections without a church.
Even temporary spaces like one's own home or a cozy chair can offer a sense of belonging and significance during the absence of a church.
Deep dives
Finding Beloved Communities
Even without a church, there are opportunities to find beloved communities in unexpected places. Gathering around a backyard fire, sharing a meal with family or friends, or engaging in conversations during a book club meeting can all provide meaningful connections.
Embracing Temporary Sanctuaries
During the absence of a church, temporary sanctuaries can be found in ordinary spaces like the comfort of one's own home, a cozy chair by the Christmas tree, or even the front seat of a car. These spaces, though temporary, can still hold significance and offer a sense of belonging.
Engaging Simple Liturgies
In the absence of traditional Advent rituals, individuals can create their own simple liturgies that bring joy and meaning. This can include engaging in daily activities that bring personal enjoyment, choosing Advent readings or following reflection plans that resonate with one's spiritual journey, or utilizing resources like Advent writings from various authors. The focus should be on embracing practices that nourish the soul and offer a sense of connection during the Advent season.
There are a lot of reasons why the season of Advent might be a difficult one for you this year. Among them could be because you don't currently have a church or a faith community or it looks different than it used to, or you're about to move or make a change, or you just moved and made a change and it's all impacting your current reality, and you're feeling some kind of way about it all. If that's you, I hope you'll find welcome in today's conversation. Listen in.