In this engaging discussion, writer and cultural commentator Sara Billups reflects on hope during the Advent season amid life's challenges. She shares her experiences as a caregiver and a Gen Xer, navigating cultural disillusionment while drawing inspiration from biblical figures. The conversation examines the impact of prosperity culture on personal faith and emphasizes the importance of liturgy and tradition in fostering hope. With practical tips for families and a focus on joyful connections, this talk encourages listeners to embrace a hopeful spirit this Advent.
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Advent's In-Betweenness
Advent invites us to live "in between" Jesus' birth and future return.
This "in-between" understanding anchors our worldview, not the news cycle.
insights INSIGHT
Defining Hope
Christian hope isn't certainty or comfort, but unwavering trust in God.
It acknowledges uncertainty yet anticipates ultimate restoration, like in Psalm 62.
insights INSIGHT
Youth Disillusionment
Young Christians face disillusionment with the Church due to political stances and cultural wars.
Generational tension adds to this, making some question Christianity's relevance.
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Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I've Loved
Kate Bowler
In this memoir, Kate Bowler, a historian of the American prosperity gospel, recounts her life-altering diagnosis with Stage IV colon cancer at the age of 35. Despite her previous beliefs in the prosperity gospel, which suggests that blessings are a mark of God's favor and misfortune is a sign of disfavor, Bowler's diagnosis forces her to confront the harsh realities of life and death. The book is a frank, funny, and wise account of her experiences, populated with colorful characters from her life, including friends, mega-church preachers, relatives, and doctors. Bowler rejects the idea that everything happens for a reason and instead finds beauty and meaning in the unpredictability of life.
Orphaned Believers
None
Sara Billups
Every Moment Holy
Douglas McKelvey
Ned Bustard
What is Advent hope, and how do we hold onto it when life feels overwhelming?
In this first episode of a four-part Good Faith Advent series, Curtis Chang and author Sara Billups explore what true hope looks like for 21st-century Christians navigating consumer culture, climate anxiety, and widespread disillusionment with the church. Drawing on her experiences as a caregiver for her aging parents and as a Gen Xer shaped by the fundamentalism of the 1970s and 80s, Sara reflects on the Gospel story of Simeon, whose patient hope in the long-awaited birth of Jesus offers a timeless example for mid-lifers, millennials, and anyone yearning for hope in troubled times. With practical tips for sharing Advent’s meaning with children, this episode provides encouragement for the whole family.
Good Faith 
