Advent and Christmas Collection
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. But perhaps you’ll agree with me that this season’s goodness has much less to do with kids jingle belling or parties for hosting, and far more to do with a God who, in arguably the most bizarre plot twist in history, chose to put on flesh and pitch a tent among us.
Amid all the hustle and bustle—the shopping, the grief and celebration, the sermon prep, the Christmas talent shows and service projects—may we remain increasingly grateful for Emmanuel, God with us.
Below you’ll find a collection of articles focusing specifically on this season. With three years’ worth of material from past and present contributors, these Advent and Christmas collections include exploration of Scripture, themes of hope and anticipation, reflections on God’s presence amid brokenness and injustice, and more. I hope you’ll find something challenging, thought-provoking, insightful, or comforting.
Christmas
Yearning for tranquility is certainly not a new concept. In the last decade, a trend popularized through books and media attention has been passed around about a pursuit of contentment and comfort called hygge. The practice began as an effort to deal with long, gloomy winters. This attempt to foster a sense of snugness and satisfaction is a way of life in Danish culture.
Who is God? I return to this question often, especially in this season of Christmas. The advent of Jesus to the world offers an answer—God is a God who lovingly comes close to creation. The incarnational insight is that God desires to be near to all of humanity. God chooses to come and dwell among us.
Should the church wage war against society in order to enforce a more pious remembrance? I think not. But perhaps a better question to ask is this: what would it look like for Christians to embrace the true meaning of Christmas?
Out of fear that Mary was getting too much credit for her role in salvation history, we decided to give her none. Among us, there must not even be a hint of devotion to Mary. In the end, we might not have thrown the baby out with the bathwater, but we do seem to have thrown out the baby’s mother. And in doing so, I think we’ve lost quite a bit.
Whether it is a stranger needing shelter from the elements, a visitor needing someone to share a meal, or a newcomer needing community, resolve to be the one to welcome—even if you have to leave the comfort of your home and trudge through the storm to invite them in. Be purposeful about welcoming others, and plan to surprise someone with unusual kindness.
One idea to reach the community is through outreach events, or “bridge events.” These events are designed to invite neighbors, colleagues, and community members, giving them a chance to come through our doors. The fall and winter seasons are great times to plan some of these events.
Waiting is a major theme of Scripture. God is always faithful to his people… yet he often seems to keep them waiting.
The peace of God is transcendent. It is beyond the comprehension of the world.
When we wait, we unfurl our hands from their tight-fisted demands and curl our fingers around the hand of God.
The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices!
In short, decide what matters to your church. Then do what it takes to further that approach.
Regardless of the time of Jesus’ birth, love prompted him to meet us much more than halfway. December, and every month of the year, is a time for Christians everywhere to show love to others.
Here’s a Christmas playlist full of Fisher favorites for fun and frolic. Maybe a few will inspire musing, meditation, and a little Christmas magic.
But into the darkness, God sends his light. It’s what he has been doing since the beginning. “Let there be light” were the first words spoken.
Our youngest son’s birthday is next week. When he first arrived on the scene, he emanated joy from within. Still does! How might we bomb those around us with joy this week?
Squaring off against the darkness, acknowledging its created separateness from the light that is God in the lives of people, is our posture for this season.
Like an insurgency amid a people we are trying to free, Christmas has decided to go to war with our ideas of Christmas. We are, I’m sad to say, fighting a war on two fronts.
As the light of Christ streams in the window, lighting the room of our lives, let us notice what the light illuminates, yet not spend glorious, God-given energy attempting perfection in what is the Lord’s to complete.
Making the meme circuit again this Christmas is a new classic that takes on the almost-30-year-old question: Mary, did you know?
Special days and seasons tend to have a polarizing effect on our emotions and spiritual lives. Do you feel this every year too?
The first lesson of Christmas is to keep showing up even when your miracle hasn’t.
I do not know what the future holds for these kids, but my gifts to them are no longer about Christmas; they’re a statement of my hopes and dreams that they will be great.
Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to get back to the mission of turning the world upside-down.
We tend to think about wilderness as a place, but a shack is a visible reminder that wilderness is a force, always pushing back against order and security.
For the first time in my life I am having to balance the grief that comes with loss and the joy of the Christmas season.
Before we completely throw him under the bus, let’s consider what Santa Claus brings to the Christmas table.
May I suggest that we reevaluate our opinion of the season and use it for the cause of Christ?
Yes, I absolutely am that person. I love Christmas so much that I celebrate it all year long. Here is how I make that work for me.
So, the question before us on Dec. 26 (or on any other day) is, “What does Immanuel (God with us) mean today?”
The story of Jesus entering into the world is a story of God disrupting the lives and plans of those God chose.
Advent
Should the church wage war against society in order to enforce a more pious remembrance? I think not. But perhaps a better question to ask is this: what would it look like for Christians to embrace the true meaning of Christmas?
Waiting is a major theme of Scripture. God is always faithful to his people… yet he often seems to keep them waiting.
When we wait, we unfurl our hands from their tight-fisted demands and curl our fingers around the hand of God.
The thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices!
Where does John the Baptist fit among Bing Crosby on the radio, children on a stage, and Charlie Brown memories?
But into the darkness, God sends his light. It’s what he has been doing since the beginning. “Let there be light” were the first words spoken.
Squaring off against the darkness, acknowledging its created separateness from the light that is God in the lives of people, is our posture for this season.
As the light of Christ streams in the window, lighting the room of our lives, let us notice what the light illuminates, yet not spend glorious, God-given energy attempting perfection in what is the Lord’s to complete.
Special days and seasons tend to have a polarizing effect on our emotions and spiritual lives. Do you feel this every year too?
We tend to think about wilderness as a place, but a shack is a visible reminder that wilderness is a force, always pushing back against order and security.
Waiting for a baby strengthens the hope, peace, joy, and love, crafting the manger that holds the baby. This is what Advent offers the church.
Advent is the season of waiting, so they say. Waiting for the Messiah king to come. Waiting for God to show up.
So, the question before us on Dec. 26 (or on any other day) is, “What does Immanuel (God with us) mean today?”
Jesus needs people who are willing to imagine a different future, and step out on faith. Jesus needs dreamers in his life. Always has.
Salvation is a way; along that path the very character of God is sprouting up—love, faithfulness, righteousness, and peace.
The season of Advent culminates in the arrival of God in the form of a very vulnerable Jesus.
The nearness of death fills the room, yet somewhere there is the joy and promise of a new beginning.
Advent is a reminder that we still wait for the Messiah. As a people who live in the “now and not yet” of the kingdom of God, we await the return of Christ.
Many churches feel as if they have been through war. Advent offers the possibility of helping to heal the wounds of war in our midst.
There are a great many people today who are a bit confused by who God is.
Waiting in suspension, our lives hanging in the balance—isn’t this the worst feeling? So how could Advent possibly be a season worth celebrating?
May we remember during Advent the courage it takes to sit and wait. In her waiting, Rosa Parks joined God’s movement of ushering in days more just than before.
When what I want is justice, release from oppression, a stop to the violence, waiting seems more destructive, not hope-filled.
