Reader, This series of Advent emails is admittedly countercultural. In a season that bustles with activity, we’ve invited you to sit in silence. In a season that glitters with flashing lights and bright colors, we’ve asked you to face your inner darkness. In a season filled with echoes of “Happy holidays!”, we’ve dared you to wonder, “What if Jesus doesn’t show up?” At times, it might feel like we’ve invited you to behave like the ascetics of old—devout men and women who pursued radical...

Reader, Last week, we invited you to reflect on your life and name the darkness you need Christ to break into. But what if he doesn’t? You probably weren’t expecting that question. As American Christians, we rarely encounter heavy thoughts like that. We’re willing to entertain doubt, but only as a theoretical possibility—one we can ponder from the safety of our favorite armchair. When we were kids, however, it was a different story. Childhood fears often feel all-consuming. Since they lack...

Reader, Advent is not just a journey towards Christmas Day and the arrival of the Christ Child. For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s also a journey towards the shortest—and therefore darkest—day of the year. This growing darkness is palpable. It’s there when we wake in the morning. It accompanies us on our commutes, whether we’re going to work or returning home. It saps our strength. Our bodies feel the darkness, instinctively prompting us to turn in for the night when...