Advent

The messy hope of Christmas

The reality and context of Jesus’ birth are far more inspiring than the sanitized version that Western culture embraces, a pastor writes.

By Jason D. Thompson Pastor

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Advent feels as if it were made just for me

The season of longing encompasses both the joy and the pain of our very human desire for God, writes an author.

By Jean Neely Scholar and writer

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A note to pastors from a visitor in your pews

Writing from her perspective as a former pastor and now frequent church visitor, an associate director for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity’s Thriving Congregations Coordination Program suggests simple, concrete ways to welcome the visiting stranger.

By Sarah E. Forsyth Associate Director, Thriving Congregations Coordination Program

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Advent’s surprise for us

What might happen if we greeted the season with wonder and amazement?

By Emily Lund Director of Communications, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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Allowing Advent to find us honestly

We can reframe the Advent season in order to reclaim it, writes an author and academic.

By Shannon W. Dycus Pastor and educator

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What was Joseph to do?

Mary is understandably a focus of most Advent stories, but there are also lessons to learn from Joseph, writes a director of programs and grants at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Mycal X. Brickhouse Director of programs and grants, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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Our grief doesn’t stop during Advent

The shepherds’ story within the greater nativity offers wisdom for those mourning a loss during Christmas, a pastor writes.

By Kalina Carlson Associate pastor and entrepreneur

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Creating our future is a group effort

As we head into a holiday season in this post-lockdown but not-yet-post-pandemic world, we must build new life — together, writes the senior associate editor of Faith & Leadership.

By Aleta Payne Senior editor, Faith & Leadership

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Reflecting on the incarnation amid chronic pain

A writer stretched thin by illness finds comfort in the natural world during a season of darkness.

By Allison Backous Troy Writer and educator

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Our bold "yes" this Advent

Rather than viewing this season as awaiting a return to the past, we can embrace it as an invitation to transformation and action, writes the director of the Thriving Congregations Coordination Program at Duke Divinity.