fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
The U.S.A. Isn’t headed for a Civil War, It’s Headed for A Revolution — Here’s Why
By: Aaron Daniels
Tags: Censorship, Corporate Culture, Propaganda, Civil Rights, Revolution

I keep hearing that the United Stated has become a divided nation — a nation divided by class, money, race, and politics. I see viral articles and videos from foreign authors about how the U.S. is headed for civil war all the time.

I don’t think so. There’s no doubt that we’re divided as a nation. We’re definitely divided on several major issues. But that’s not what separates us — it’s what unites us. The very core of the United States lies in the ability to speak our minds. That very freedom of speech is what’s under attack, especially by the corporate media.

If you’re an outsider watching U.S. corporate-run news stations then there's no doubt that you’d think we’re headed for a civil war. I totally get it. But when you look at the street — the real streets, not the few streets of staged riots shown in the media, you’ll see a completely different story. People are largely just getting on with their lives as normal, well at least as normal as anybody in other countries in this crazy time.

The mainstream U.S. media thrives on ratings, and to their credit, what sells better than fear and drama? In fact, nearly all local and national news stations are owned by just 6 media giants. They have a massive amount of influence and power over what people believe to be true nowadays. Check out this video released just earlier this year where several news stations — owned by separate media giants are all reading the same script.

Corporate Media Propaganda all saying the Same Thing

The infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed these media giants for interfering with elections and selling personal data. This was the first major wake-up call for millions. Despite the conglomerate saying they’ve ceased to operate, we still see examples of this at play. Netflix has recently put out an eirie documentary titled “The Great Hack”, that deeply explores just how much these media and tech giants influence and manipulate our decisions, both personal and collective.

The corporate media is trying to make everyone afraid. Why wouldn’t they? Their data tells them that they’ll have more people watching, meaning they get more ad money if they continually pump out fear-based propaganda. They’ve already proven that they don’t care about what’s actually going on, and they certainly don’t shy away from mass propaganda and censorship.

I advise everyone to throw away your TV, go outside and look around. You may just find that most people are good. If there’s an upcoming war, it’s not gonna be civil. It’s going to be the people against an over-reaching government, the people against a manipulative media, and the people against mass hypnosis. United we stand, divided we fall. As put by Gill Scott Heron “The revolution will not be televised”.

Check out my blog offgridincome.com to learn more about permaculture, becoming self-reliant, and making an online income off the grid.
Let’s mark time’s travel across the belly of the month…and call it Avent.
By: Marilyn Flower
Tags: Light, Christmas, Advent, Poetry

Let’s mark time’s travel across the belly of the month…and call it Avent.

Maybe you’ve got a calendar with its daily doors opening up to a pithy saying, a wee image, or even a morsel of chocolate, should you shop where I do. Did you grow up with these count downers, adding to the mounting excitement with the little surprises hidden behind each door?

Maybe you mark Advent mentally with a nod, or emotionally with a sob. Either way, there’s more month than money, more work than time, and more worries than hope and joys, it would seem.

But then again, maybe not. Maybe, in spite of everything going on right now, you cling to hope and joy and peace and light like I do. In that case, may you enjoy this Adventfull poetic parable from Dead Poets Live — the poet’s poetry publication.

I wrote it just for you!
Divine Destiny
By: Ani Vidrine
Tags: Advent, Christianity, Love, Faith, Hope

Divine Destiny

photo by Dan Kiefer on Unsplash.com

Love, may we be bearers of your kindness and grace!

Dear One,

I am writing to remind you of things you already know. The only thing that matters in this life is Love given and received. Beliefs and opinion about right and wrong and acquisition of material possessions and status do not heal a broken heart or free anyone from the bonds of oppression.

Your grand destiny is not to become this or that, to earn this or that degree, or to work in this or that job. No, your destiny is much greater. It is the homely, everyday practice of being fully present to each person you encounter every day, seeing them through the eyes of Love, communicating in word and deed that they are valuable and loved, and allowing yourself to receive this same Love from others. There is no greater destiny and no more radiant glory than to love unconditionally. Celebrating the birth of Jesus is the honoring of Unconditional Love.

Remember, this moment is an opportunity to connect to Love, and therefore, to live into the fullness of who you are.

As always, do what best awakens you to love,

Your Inner Wisdom
Advent A to Z
By: Luis Choi
Tags: Advent, Incarnate

For the past 26 days of Advent, I have been reading an email series from Loyola Press, helping me to prepare myself for the birth of Jesus Christ.

I want to share these words of inspiration with you:

Anticipation, Benedictus, Candles, Dreams, Examen, Flexibility, Generosity, Hope (is coming), Isaiah, John (the Baptist), King, Lights, Mary, Nativity, O (come, Emmanuel), Peace, Quiet, Ready, St. Nicholas, Trees, Unwrapping, Visitors, Wise man, Xavier, Yes, Zephaniah.

From these words, I took special attention from N — Nativity:

“And then, in a stable, beneath a thatched roof,

I heard the light clacking of an old donkey’s hoof.

As I peered inside, what did I see?

A Mother and child. And a Dad smiled at me.

I knew in a moment this child was the one.

The life in the room was as bright as the sun.”

— Excerpted from The Shepherd’s Story by Jimmy Dunne

“the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” — John 1:14

In Jesus Christ, the invisible and intangible God became visible for us finite human beings. We participate in an incarnational ministry. Our job is to invite those to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste the Lord. Through our efforts and in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ continues to become to become visible and tangible.

Merry Christmas, all.
(Un)Mute Yourself, Day 25
By: Jason Chesnut
Tags: Unmuteyourself, Risk, Mitigate, Advent

(Un)Mute Yourself, Day 25

I’ve never really considered myself much of a meditative Christian. There is, however, one thing I do that makes me feel closest to what I imagine it’s like to be a meditative person: learning bible stories by heart.

Spending time with the millennia-old script from Holy Scripture, letting its surprising, profound, sometimes even weird words marinate in my body and brain –– that’s what often calms my soul.

The Gospel of Luke (1:39–55)

This is a moment in history when we are called upon to mitigate risks to our neighbor, to take steps ourselves to reduce the adverse effects of, well, everything. But especially the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s clear that we in the United States aren’t doing so well at that.

The actions of God, as sung by Mary our mother in Luke’s prologue, speak to a different world: one in which the hungry are fed and those at the front line (and most at-risk from the coronavirus) are vaccinated.

May it be so.
Love
By: Riley Taylor
Tags: Poetry, Christmas, Advent, Christianity, Creativity

I tried to sing about your love forever

It sounded good at the time

When things were good

Humming, growing, flourishing

But now it’s all on pause

There’s a limit to love

It doesn’t last forever

It begins bright before fading out

Replaced by nothing

But longstanding indifference

There is a promise

That love would last

Its brilliance held up

For all the world to see

Through God’s chosen

A walking, living, breathing

Heart beating full of love

With no limit

I find the promise hard to believe

Because this apathy is my own

Ignite this indifferent heart,

O God who is Love
A Política do Advento
By: Idinei Carvalho Filho
Tags: Lecionário, Liturgia, Peter Leithart, Advent, Política

Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more

Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore
Love Within
By: Ani Vidrine
Tags: Advent, Christianity, Love, Faith, Hope

Love Within

photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash.com

Love, reveal yourself in us!

Dear One,

I am writing to remind you of things you already know. Your Essence is far greater than your self-protective and limited ego. Within you lives Unconditional Love, Abundant Resources, and Ever-lasting Peace — the Christ of God.

Today and every day is the occasion to take your eyes off of your perceived problems and doubts, ideas of guilt and unworthiness, and fearful fantasies, and to look, instead, with admiration and appreciation at the beauty set before you. Today is the occasion to embrace beliefs of limitless, divine possibilities and unfailing support, coupled with copious gratitude.

The way you tell the story of your life (to yourself and others) matters. Are you obsessing on a tale of tragedy or celebrating a vision of triumph? All things are possible for those who believe. Christ within you is your hope and is birthed in your life when you love.

Remember, this moment is an opportunity to connect to Love, and therefore, to live into the fullness of who you are.

As always, do what best awakens you to love,

Your Inner Wisdom
Preparing the Way
By: Ani Vidrine
Tags: Advent, Preparation, Christianity, Love, Hope

Preparing the Way

photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash.com

Love, prepare our hearts each day to live out the gospel of peace!

Dear One,

I am writing to remind you of things you already know. How you start your day matters.

Christmas is a birthday celebration honoring Jesus, whose gospel is peace and love. However, advent, the period prior to Christmas, is not a time of waiting for a party to begin. Its mystical symbolism is much deeper than that. Advent is a season of intentional openness and receptivity for how Christ, the Love within you, is being birthed in your own life.

This process of birth is a daily preparation of conscious connection to your values and integrity, the Mind of Christ within you. Without this intentional yoking each day, it is easy to get distracted.

What are the common things that may kidnap your attention? The culprits are numerous, some of which are: a desire for acquisition and personal promotion; taking offense and projecting blame; and feelings of fear, apathy, guilt, shame, craving, or anger. Preparing the way for Love requires an ordering of priorities.

Remember, this moment is an opportunity to connect to Love, and therefore, to live into the fullness of who you are.

As always, do what best awakens you to love,

Your Inner Wisdom
LOVE: The Fourth Tuesday of Advent
By: Jeremi Richardson
Tags: Christmas, Love, Tuesday, Advent

“Let the dawning day bring me the revelation of your tender, unfailing love. Give me a light for my path and teach me, for I trust in you.” — Psalm 143:8.



To focus on the love promised at Advent, we have to go back to Genesis 1. Out of nothing, God called forth light. He separated the land from the sea and created the sun, moon, stars, earth creatures, and then humanity. He created us in his image and made us love and be loved. However, doubt crept in, and we rebelled. Though this took time, he lovingly walked us through suffering, temptation, loss, and many trials. Skip ahead with me, if you will, and we see this Messiah, not in a manger but now, as a man. The setting is a group of tax collectors and sinners sitting around listening to Jesus, and he is sharing three stories. Those that knew better grumbled about his audience selection, but Jesus ignored the opinions and shared about: a sheep, a coin, and a son.



“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” — Luke 15:4–7



As the shepherd looks, he is hopeful — and that hope turns to joy as the sheep is found. Remarkably, the joy is most significant in heaven. Jesus’ next story about a lost coin ends with, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The last story ends with the father’s reaction being that of unconditional love and forgiveness: “let us eat and celebrate. For this, my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate.”



Did you catch the theme? They began to celebrate! So, what are we waiting for?



Hope is born, and hope will return, and the tie that binds the two is the love of Jesus. It’s time to straighten up our houses, order the balloons, and hand out the chewing gum cigars. The King is coming, and Advent is upon us. We are waking to the wonder of his rule and reign. Look, yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn — so fall on your knees and hear the song of the angels. The dawning of this new day will bring the revelation of his tender, unfailing love. His arrival is near!



Let Us Pray:

Loving Father, close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let love and kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen! –Robert Louis Stevenson
The Four Lights of Christmas
By: Hanah Sofia Sepe
Tags: Christmas, Advent

Hope in the midst of uncertainty

“Hope is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness”

The first week of advent tells us a message about hope in remembrance of the prophet Isaiah who foretold the birth of Christ. As we prepare ourselves for the upcoming Christmas, let us prepare our hearts with hope in the Lord as we seek his guidance and help us to overcome the obstacles in life. In our present situation today, where hope for a better tomorrow seems inevitable, let us entrust ourselves to Him, which serves as our anchor for the soul amidst the storms of life.

The Greatest Love of All

“And now, these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Love comes from different forms that are characterized by romantic love, family love, brotherly love, and most of all, God’s divine love. When Jesus came to earth, He brought a special kind of love. This love is unselfish, compassionate, and unconditional. As his followers, we all have a distinguishing mark to carry that is to be evident in our actions and words as we interact with others. As we wait for the coming of the Lord, let us show our great love towards others, especially the ones who needed us the most, through showing God’s love and presence in times of trials, thus, helping them to feel the true essence of Christmas: love.

Joy that comes from living life with full of gratitude

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10

In our present situation where we are experiencing several life changes, it’s difficult for us to find joy in our everyday living. However, let us always remember that happiness comes from living a life full of gratitude. It is about appreciating and valuing the simple things in life that give us and learning to be thankful with a grateful heart. In celebration of this year’s Christmas, let us pause for a moment and think about what we can do to spread the joy of Christmas amidst these trying times.

Jesus Christ: The Prince of Peace

“And then suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13–14

Peace can be found in two ways: the peace we found in our inner selves and the peace that we established with others. Inner peace begins with an intimate relationship with God, as we entrust ourselves in His strength and wisdom that serves as our guide and allows us to endure the challenges that life gives us. On the other hand, the peace that we found with others is when we realized that we are called to be peacemakers in our world in response to God’s love and calling for us. This Christmas, let us be like Jesus, who has given Himself for us to obtain both inner and outer peace.
The Hope of Advent
By: Nicole B
Tags: Jesus, Christmas, Advent, Faith, Hope

Sounds can speak more than words.

By now, the end of 2020, nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the sound of a group of people clapping in a public setting sounds magical. In church on Sunday morning, the Spirit spoke to me amidst the majestic sound of the church people clapping for parishioners being brought into new positions. As I stood there, bound by my mask and steamy glasses, my ears heard a sound that has become quite unfamiliar in this past year, a group of happy people.

As humans, we clap as a form of joy, celebration, and congratulations. We clap because if we all yelled “yes”, “hooray”, and “go you” it would be quite disorganized and unappealing. However, in church the claps were not at all disorganized, they were quite organized, celebratory, and hopeful. I looked straight ahead as our Priest began saying a prayer for the parishioners, then people started clapping and my focus instantly switched. I began scanning the church with a proud and happy smile, berried underneath my mask. I was happy for the people who are going to help our church and community alike, but I was more happy for the hope I know the Spirit was sharing with me in that moment. Similar to a baby’s laugh, a puppies yelp, or sparkly high heals on a hard floor, the sound of clapping was a sound I didn’t realize was so sweet and good to me.

What I experienced on this day was renewal. Christmas is almost here, the baby is about to be born. In just a few days we will celebrate the birth of Jesus, from a virgin woman named Mary. Mary had hope not only from God and angels but in her own heart as well. This season, while it may be less, I encourage you to find more in the less. Think about Jesus being born in a stable, under a sky full of stars. Think of the silence in the night that the three kings heard while on their long journey to Bethlehem. While there may be silence in our own hearts and homes alike this year, reflect on the silence that must have been heard in the times of Jesus’s birth, after all that is what we celebrate at Christmas time.

Pray, wait, and trust this year. As humans it is oddly unnatural to not follow our routines and busy schedules. God is asking something different of us this year, he wants us to draw near to him in the unfamiliarity of this holiday season. Instead of asking why, be encouraged in the opportunity and promise of what lies ahead. This Christmas I hope that you are able to find more in the fewer things you do, and may they resonate through your soul, like the beauty and hope of clapping.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours this Christmastime.

Amen.
O Rex Gentium
By: Father Troy Beecham
Tags: God, Jesus, Advent, Christianity, Father Troy Beecham

Priest, dean of a cathedral a city with so much beauty and heartbreaking poverty. Bring hope to the hopeless! Live compassionately! Lovingly serve everyone!
No More Partridges in Pear Trees
By: Marijke Mccandless
Tags: Singing, Christmas, Advent, Tradition, Love

No More Partridges in Pear Trees

Photo by McGill Library on Unsplash

As our family stood huddled in sweat pants before a karaoke program, which was playing synthesized Christmas songs over our home computer, it occurred to me that this was not the family Christmas caroling scene it once might have been. Before my thoughts launched into despair over the commercialism, glitz and high technology of Christmas in the new millennium, I took heart instead with another thought.

I was thinking of a tradition we started the year we were married. It involved the twelve days before Christmas and a grown-ups’ version of an advent calendar. Each day, starting on December 12th, my husband and I alternate opening windows, which are labelled one through twelve to discover a secret message bestowing the bearer a special gift. We flip a coin to see who gets to start first. At the end of the year we rearrange the order and occasionally replace an idea to keep the surprises fresh and appropriate.

It’s true, we get no milking maids, no turtle doves and no partridge in a pear tree, but we think we have improved upon the theme of yore. You be the judge.

Borrowing the tune from The Twelve Days of Christmas, I have summarized our yearly tradition below. Keeping our fast-paced culture in mind, so as not to bore anyone, I’ve foregone the first eleven verses and cut to the Twelfth Day. I think you’ll get the picture:

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

An early Christmas present

A half hour of pleasure

A gift card to Amazon

A takeout of sushi

An online dancing class

A bouquet of flowers

Three hours of housecleaning

SLAVE FOR A DAY

Champagne and chocolate

Head to toe massage

Gourmet dinner

And breakfast and coffee in bed

We have not lost the meaning of Christmas. We have only packaged it differently to suit the times.

And best of all fellow writers, the process of observing this disturbing trend ended up stimulating a new and endearing holiday writing tradition. Now, each year when we give gifts, we have to re-write a Christmas song with new words and give that along with the present. It adds great fun to gift giving and keeps my pen moving, even during the business holiday season.
Adding Vent will make Season of Advent
Tags: Christmas Thought, Advent

Adding Vent will make Season of Advent

The multistoried building is a purely residential area with few shops nearby with a wide road. The apartment puts up lighting and decorates the Christmas tree mostly a day in advance to Christmas with all residents coming together singing carols and children making merry. The building gets a festival spirit and children enjoy with games. This is been a practice over the period of years, its one of the seasons that all residents come together for a festival spirit.

In one of the floors, the celebrations starts a month in advance. Jokingly people comments, that house Jesus is born one month in advance. The cleaning, decoration and well-wisher's visits everything is in advance, even though it is a nuclear family with only one kid. However, the church also starts preparing its congregation for accepting the lord well in advance. In management jargon’s “Plan is nothing, Planning is everything” and that plan has four key themes scheduled for each week before the Christmas. They announce it is the season of advent and they light a candle which is symbolic to Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. These are the real gifts of human and humanity.

In advent — we need to add vent to accept Hope , Add vent to get Peace, Add Vent to share Joy and Add vent to experience love. Adding vent is giving out unwanted thoughts, jealousy, hatred, grudge and ego. Adding vent for accepting Hope, Peace, Joy and Love needs Planning and not plan.

Have added Vent for a meaningful advent !!
LOVE: The Fourth Sunday of Advent
By: Jeremi Richardson
Tags: Christmas, Love, Sunday, Advent

1 John 4:10 — This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins. No doubt you’ve already heard the familiar words of “O Holy Night,” and we even started our journey together regarding that song; but don’t miss the truth of the final verse: Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love, and His gospel is peace.

Our greatest prayer is that the revelation of this love will be known personally in your lives as you read these next few days.

LET US PRAY:

Father, your mission is all about love. You even prove your love for us — so much so that you gave us your Son, Jesus Christ, as the best gift of all. Keep us away from the thieves that would steal the message and joy of Christmas. Indeed you taught us to love one another, and through your teaching, we are more like you. Amen!
JOY: The Third Saturday of Advent
By: Jeremi Richardson
Tags: Christmas, Joy, Advent, Saturday

I am frequently asked about ways to maintain the joy of Christ in our lives. I am a student of faith. I consistently call on the name of Jesus, not only as a friend but as a Savior. I am in need every day of his power and greatness. Calling on Christ may be new to you, and you may feel you’ve mastered a perfect registration on the joy meter — but I would love to propose that there is more. None of us have made it to our destination. As long as our feet are on the earth, there is more to learn, more profound love to pour out on Christ, and more joy to fill our hearts and minds. We are not dead yet — so as we live, let’s live in joy, and these are five steps of how to get to a deeper place of joy — together.

1. LOVE HIM

It is easy to call on God but maybe not as easy to love him. If you just like the idea of God, you will really love yourself, as opposed to loving God — which brings about the desire of surrendering self. This is the place where faith comes in. We have to trust his ways and offer our preferences over to his sovereignty (control).

In the book: Love Does, by my friend, Bob Goff. Bob says: “…I see myself floating in a massive sea of God’s love. The circle of His grace and forgiveness is big enough, and the line leading to Him is long enough that I don’t always need to be measuring latitude and longitude to find myself. It’s a pretty easy calculation each day, actually. I stay somewhere in that circle.”

2. SPEND TIME

When you desperately want another person to notice you, you do anything you can to gain their attention. Most often, this takes the form of putting oneself directly in the path of that person. We can be in Jesus’ presence at any time — anywhere. Call on him, and he will answer.

3. REFLECT

Those in long-term relationships with someone often begin to resemble each other — this reflection is a concrete place where his joy becomes ours. The longer we know Christ, the more we know him, the more we resemble him, especially in what we say and do.

4. COMMUNICATE

Think about the example of the wise men who see the star, then realize they don’t see it anymore, and then see it again. Think about John the Baptist, who recognizes Jesus because of the joy he feels in his presence, and when he is in doubt, sends his friends to Jesus to have his doubt answered. This all came through communication with God. One through a star (faith) and one through a relationship with the creator (wonder). Communication takes various forms, do not get bent on it being the same way every time.

5. RECOGNIZE

When Jesus comes, we recognize him. This recognition is often accompanied by deep joy and proof of our love, time, reflection, and communication. Stay strong; his arrival is near!
Why We Need Courage to Embrace God’s Good News
By: Donna C. Battle
Tags: Spirituality, Religion, Advent

Luke 2:8–10

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”

As creatures of habit, we often resist change. Consistency is an important and healthy part of life, but only when our consistency is invested in behaviors that are life-giving. We sometimes resist change from our norm, even when our norm is unhealthy and the change is what we need.

When the children of Israel were freed from slavery, they had to rebuild trust in God. There was a point where they were afraid they would starve and wanted to return to Egypt where, though enslaved, they had food to eat. They needed time to rebuild trust with God. They needed time to grieve and let go of coping mechanisms that had brought them comfort in suffering. They had to learn how to be free.

Change can be hard and is often hindered by our fears of the unknown. “Rather the demon I know than the one I don’t,” as the saying goes. But what if the goal is no demon at all?

If we are so polarized in our belief that it is either this or that, then we leave no room for that of which we cannot conceive — the work of God.

It seems redundant and a bit understated to say that 2020 has been a hard year. Consistent complex trauma can make pain feel more normative than healing and freedom.

In such challenging times, it could help to remember God’s presence shows up not during the gaiety of the day, but during the uncertainty of the night. Jesus was born at night.

The shepherds who were tending sheep in this Luke passage did so during the night shift. Darkness was part of their familiar routine, and so the unexpected appearance of light invoked fear.

Could the light of hope be showing up in our darkest hour, but instead of joy, we are experiencing fear?

Are we more accustomed to darkness than light, to the extent that the hope of light invokes hesitation? We must not be afraid to embrace the light, however unexpected, for it comes with good news that will cause great joy.

Advent prepares us to enter a new year with the courage to embrace opportunities that teach us how to live free.

Prophetic Practice:

Take a day, hour, or minute to give yourself permission not to be afraid to hope. Even if only as a momentary practice, feel the freedom of believing the impossible is possible.
Mary said “Yes!” to liberation. This Christmas season, we must too.
By: Sam Lundquist
Tags: BlackLivesMatter, Advent, Christianity, Theology, Social Justice

Mary said “Yes!” to liberation. This Christmas season, we must too.

Mary said, “Yes.”

In her Magnifcat filled with praise and promise, she said “yes” to all that God was birthing in her because she knew that her extravagant “yes” would unleash liberation upon the world.

With all my heart I glorify the Lord!

In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior…

He has shown strength with his arm.

He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.

He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed…

The weekend following the murder of George Floyd, I marched in a protest through the streets of San Francisco. We marched past City Hall, past the police station, past the court house, and eventually down to the water.

Downtown San Francisco. May 2020.

Written on signs and shouted in chants, I saw and heard the cries of “No!”:

“No justice, no peace!”

“No racist police!”

“No more death!”

“No silence!”

“No words.”

These were the cries of people who had had enough and were screaming from the bottom of their bellies, “No more! Enough!” But woven into those cries was also a resounding “Yes!”

A “yes” to a world where our economic, political, and social systems of privilege are dismantled. A “yes” to a world where the lowly are lifted up and the hungry are filled. A “yes” to a world where Black lives truly matter.

At the center of those cries of protest was a blazing desire for a world that can and must be different.

Downtown San Francisco. May 2020.

During this Advent season—the days we prepare ourselves for new world that God reveals on Christmas—we must live in and act from that bottom-of-the-belly, Spirit-born space of “Yes!” We must connect with our deepest desire for liberation, not just as an idea, but as tangible, enfleshed, hope-filled vision of what could be.

Audre Lorde, the Black, queer, womanist writer and warrior against the injustices of the world, calls desire (or the erotic) “the personification of love in all its aspects, born of Chaos, and personifying creative power and harmony.” She writes this about our relationship — particularly women’s relationship — with desire:

“We have been raised to fear the yes within ourselves, our deepest cravings. Recognizing the power of the erotic within our lives can give us the energy to pursue genuine change within our world…”

We mustn’t be afraid of the power of our “Yes!”.

A “yes” is risky.

A “yes” takes courage.

A “yes” means work must be done.

But as Mary shows us, there is an extravagant joy in “yes,” and it is the joy of a liberated world.

God of Liberation, may we desire You. As we journey toward Christmas, may your Holy Spirit fuel our desire for justice and equity in our communities, our neighborhoods, and our world. May we say “Yes!” to the world you desire for us. Amen.
LOVE: The Fourth Monday of Advent
By: Jeremi Richardson
Tags: Monday, The Little Drummer Boy, Advent, Christmas Songs, Love

Have you ever had a spiritual awakening in the most unlikely of places? Mine happened recently with the song: “The Little Drummer Boy!”… Yes, I’m serious. I was prepping for our Christmas services, and I realized that we are all like this little boy: We’ve just got this drum, so we ask, do you want that? Do you want this stupid drum? And he (Jesus) says, “Yes, bring your nothing, play the drum.”



When Jesus came to this earth, He brought a special kind of love. This love is unselfish, compassionate, unconditional. He loves us just as we are. Our condition is irrelevant to His love. It is a love that picks us up just where we are in life and carries us further than we could ever go on our own. He gives us His love, and He tells us this love will be our trademark. It will distinguish us as followers of Jesus. He tells us that we are made in his image and that his love will never let us go; no matter the conflict, he loves us no matter our level of experience.



That’s why, as believers, we should bring our gifts and lay them at his feet. Like this drummer boy, we bring our best, our all — and with joy, we give our very best with all that we have, every time. As we move into Christmas this week, be reminded of the distinguishing mark you carry and how your song is Jesus’ favorite Jesus. Ask for His love to be evident in your words and actions as you interact with others, and never forget that the gifts He places in our hands serve a purpose. In all things, at all times — bring your nothing and play the drum.



Let Us Pray:

Father, thank you for Your generous love to me. Thank you that You see abundance in my life rather than all the shortfalls I have. Help me to offer that same gracious love to those I mingle with this Christmas season. Pour Your love into my heart so I can give it away. May they know I am a follower of Jesus by my passion and my giving of everything I have in your name. Amen!
(Un)Mute Yourself, Day 23
By: Jason Chesnut
Tags: Unmuteyourself, Advent

(Un)Mute Yourself, Day 23

I Samuel 1:13 | Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was muted. Jason Chesnut Follow Dec 21, 2020 · 2 min read

The Rev. Tamika Jancewicz is the Associate Pastor at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, Maryland. And she is the co-founder and co-host of For Collard Girls, which is a journey, a conversation, and podcast, that shares the unique, bold, and beautiful narrative of BIPOC women who are in spaces in the church, in the community, and in the world. For Collard Girls are writers, activists. creatives, and religious leaders. Tamika is also the mother of her two amazing, creative children, Nya (13) and Arion (11), who teach her every day how to be authentically human and graciously loving.

One of the gifts out of this whole debacle we call 2020 is the many innovative ways we’ve tried to stay connected.

At my church we started midday prayers every day since March.

We go live on Facebook, so it’s not interactive like on Zoom.

It’s been a way to keep us grounded in some capacity and to check in with each other.

And it has been a very humbling experience. Along with not always knowing what to share and say on some of the harder days this year, I have certainly forgotten to unmute myself and prayed almost the entire prayer while people are commenting “we can’t hear you.”

And because I usually close my eyes or look away, I don’t see their comments until I’m just about done…

But no matter how it goes, or how embarrassed I might be, there has always been a moment where I felt G-d was truly listening to the depth of our hearts.

This is how Hannah comes to G-d–from the depths of her heart, with all of her pain and sorrow, and she cannot utter a sound. #muted

And I’d like to offer that Hannah’s prayer was everything it needed to be, even if Eli made his assumptions about her (he thought she was drunk…)

And I’d also like to offer a prayer today for you during those times you cannot utter a sound. Don’t worry you don’t even have to actually say it, you can take whatever posture you need and a deep breath, and when you let out your sigh think…

G-d, you know.

My words escape me.

But you know.

Ok…maybe take like three full breaths. Amen.
Wait: An Advent Reflection
By: Justin Mcroberts
Tags: Spirituality, Advent, Spiritual Growth, Waiting, Patience

Near the heart of the Christmas / Advent Story is the expectation that God is going to offer a gift. The head-fake in this Bible story story is that, when those waiting come up on and/or are given that gift, it’s just a baby. And I know folks have surrounded Jesus’ birth with all kinds of magic imagery, sparkles and theme music since then. But for people who had been waiting for some kind of momentous, earth-shattering socio-cultural and political sign of change, that had to be at least somewhat confusing and disappointing. If this was the gift, it meant having to wait. again.

In fact, according to the timeline in those same scriptures, the next time there is anything of significance to be made of the life of Jesus, it’s 30 years later.

And then, after 3 years of work with a small community, Jesus is arrested and those following him have to wait. again.

And then he is murdered by the State (at the behest of religious power) and those following him have to wait. again.

Here’s the thing; I don’t think that process ever ends. I don’t think the waiting ever ends. And I’ve begun to think that’s the case because the primary fruit of waiting is my formation and becoming; not getting what I’m wanting.

In fact, I think that waiting, as a practice in and of itself, changes me so that i want differently (and better). Sometimes, even if the thing I’ve waited for is exactly what I expected it to be, by the time I come upon it or possess it, I’ve changed.

Over time, my hopes and desires have changed. I try not to expect particular results or gifts or moments. Instead, I hope that my will is refined and changed. That, through my waiting, I can want differently and want more and want better.

I want differently.

I want more.

I want better.

And I think that might be the point.

The spiritual process/journey isn’t about grasping God or attaining personal greatness or holiness the way I’d grasp/attain an item at a Walmart; it’s about becoming. The tension and disappointment and patience necessary for waiting shapes me into someone who wants differently, wants more and wants better; so that, in the pursuit of better things, I grow. again
O Oriens
By: Father Troy Beecham
Tags: God, Jesus, Advent, Christianity, Father Troy Beecham

Priest, dean of a cathedral a city with so much beauty and heartbreaking poverty. Bring hope to the hopeless! Live compassionately! Lovingly serve everyone!
Your Song
By: Michelle Berry Lane
Tags: Inspiration, Spirituality, Advent, Poetry

Your Song

Photo copyright Michelle Lane, 2020

You left your sandals behind for the short walk

To the well with your earthen pitcher,

Small billows of dust with every step

A song arose as you returned

Lovely whole notes; you sang,

Filling the wide dome of air around you

Water dampening the ground

The vessel, spilling over,

You are incandescent

With your heart song

You step over

The threshold’s pounded earth,

Pass into soft light within,

Set your pitcher on the table,

Turn toward the window,

Near the cool brown of the wall,

A shimmering flame,

An utterance of light saying:

Do not be afraid . . .

Full of Grace . . .

You quake, yet feel substantial,

You say:

Here am I. . . Let it Be

A luminous word, your simple yes, alive

In the room, in your song; your bare feet

Firmly on the earthy floor . . .

************************************************

This poem is my envisioning of the Annunciation, the account in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:26–38) of the angel Gabriel coming to Mary and announcing that she will bear the Christ Child of God and will name him Jesus. She is a young woman, unmarried but engaged to an older man named Joseph. In the poem I intentionally painted a young Mary who was in the fullness of her self, and free.

Mary’s virginity is a topic of both reverence and controversy. The common understanding of the word “virgin” is a woman who has not had sex (males and gender-queer people may be given this label as well, but traditionally it is ascribed to females). But this word can be much more expansive than this conventional meaning. The word, “virgin” in its deepest essence means “unattached,” or “one in oneself.” It may be understood as a state of freedom from attachment.

Rather than focusing on the idea that Mary became pregnant without having sexual intercourse with a man, perhaps we might note that Mary agreed to respond to the angel’s invitation and then to participate in the birthing of someone who was extraordinary in this world. A beautiful gift.

We might consider that each of us is capable of responding to what wants to be born within us and then to “give birth,” or bring into being, something that is a gift to the world. What we need to do is to listen within, be open to possibilities, and become self-possessed — not in a self-focused way, but in a way that one is free to give oneself away.

As we come to know ourselves more deeply, we may be inspired to change something in our life or to create something new. Perhaps there is something you have always wanted to engage in, a deep urge or gift that is unrealized. It may be scary or unsettling to accept the inspiration or yearnings that arise within you. It will take courage to free yourself to say “yes” to this spark within and take the risk of allowing it to consume you.

What kinds of “holy mysteries” might be asking to come alive within you?
O Key of David
By: Father Troy Beecham
Tags: God, Jesus, Advent, Christianity, Father Troy Beecham

Priest, dean of a cathedral a city with so much beauty and heartbreaking poverty. Bring hope to the hopeless! Live compassionately! Lovingly serve everyone!
4th Sunday of Advent. Today’s, the fourth Sunday of Advent…
Tags: Annunciation, God, Jesus, Advent, Mary

‘’I am the handmaid of the Lord’, said Mary, ‘let what you have said be done to me.” (Luke 1:38)

Today’s, the fourth Sunday of Advent, reading begins the Incarnation history of Jesus where Mary was approached by the angel Gabriel who bore the news of her conception of Jesus. This is the most important part of the Gospels as we are brought to the knowledge of the mystery of God in working in and through us in not only seeing how God’s will makes nothing impossible, but also how we are called upon to use the Gospels as inspiration for how we live.

When Mary received news of her virgin conception, she was ‘deeply disturbed’, but the angel Gabriel assured her, ‘Do not be afraid.’ Upon understanding the will of God, Mary then acknowledged her position as ‘the handmaid of the Lord’ and accepts her role humbly in doing God’s will.

Such an encounter in the Gospel is highly significant, but not uncommon. We see this being played repeatedly throughout the Gospels, especially during the prayer in the garden of Gethsemane by Jesus before he was betrayed by Judas.

Such acceptance of God’s will is also once again seen when Jesus embarked on his path of spreading the good news, was crucified and died at the cross, and Mary never once rose in anger at his enemies or at Jesus’ fate. Instead she allowed God’s will to play out and understood her role in God’s plan.

Here, we ask ourselves as we prepare for Advent, if we have actually learnt and reflected upon the Gospels. Following God’s will requires us to let go of our self-centred desires and ego. Following God’s will as seen in the lives of Jesus and Mary, provides us with strong evidence of how we ought to respond to events around us.

We wait actively and respond to God’s will, with the help of the Holy Spirit to discern what God wants of us to do. We practise the act of surrendering and letting go. We acknowledge that with God’s grace, the Lord provides us with what we need to grow to be Christ-like, in the love of the Lord, and to truly understand God. In order to do so, we need to be conscious of what and who we are. We need to ask ourselves if this person, I, is truly the Self, or the Ego.
Sparing From Shame
By: Ani Vidrine
Tags: Shame, Advent, Christianity, Hope, Solidarity

Sparing From Shame

photo by Árni Svanur Daníelsson on Unsplash.com

Love, may your compassion reign in our hearts!

Dear One,

I am writing to remind you of things you already know. You are Love’s advocate for each person you encounter, including yourself. Recall a time when your unskillful behavior was revealed in a public way and the resulting feelings of pain and anger. Exposing shame is a lethal weapon wielded by the gossiping tongue. The compassionate heart covers shame with the balm of kindness, like a shawl of acceptance, knowing that shame is only a word or deed away in each person.

Today is the occasion to give yourself the grace of unconditional positive regard as an integral member of Love’s family, having inherent worth and belonging. Today is also the occasion to have someone’s back, so to speak, being Love’s advocate for them, rather than stabbing them with the spear of shame.

Love is FOR you, sparing you from shame. Love within you is available so that you, also, may stand in solidarity with others when they feel ashamed. In solidarity, there is hope.

Remember, this moment is an opportunity to connect to Love, and therefore, to live into the fullness of who you are.

As always, do what best awakens you to love,

Your Inner Wisdom