Welcome to Advent
Written by Tony Duppong
For many, Advent might seem like a culture clash - a collision between worlds - one world loudly clamoring, “More, more! Do more! Be more places! Get more done! See more sights! Buy more things! ‘Tis the season for lights and noise and hustle and bustle! Go, Go, Go!”
While the other whispers, “Wait. Prepare your heart.”
One of these worlds will dictate the pace and priorities of your life - especially during the Advent season. It doesn’t matter who you are or how “religious” you might be, this culture is tempting like sugar cookies. For this way of life, there is no Advent - Only a kind of Christmas that is culturally co-opted and drained of meaning and significance. There is only consumer Christmas. Black Friday and Cyber Monday Christmas - heavy on Frosty the Snowman, less inclined towards Silent Night, and so self-consumed that it will keep rolling and clamoring whether you are part of it or not.
The alternative way of life is more subtle and subversive. Advent is a season filled with angst and tension reminiscent of the complexity and nuance of the human soul. Advent is an observation of the darkness just before the light. It is permission to have the audacity to hope and the stubborn discipline to hold onto that hope as the night rails against it. Advent knows the morning will come - a new and glorious morning - but first, we must feel the anticipation. Are you ready? Have you prepared for the whole world to change? A new King is coming - and if you don’t slow down enough - if you don’t stop, and settle, and listen, you might not notice the new King at all. He’s not coming on a warhorse or with power through the halls of congress or the campaign trail. There will be no pomp or circumstance, no royal pageantry. He’s not blowing up your social media feed. He’s not topping any charts. He will come softly and quietly in the night, wrapped in rags, laid to sleep in a makeshift bed in a stable, with two exhausted young parents simply trying to keep him warm and safe.
Join Us on the Urban Mystics Podcast
Advent Meditations on the Urban Mystics Podcast
If you’re longing for a change-of-pace right now, if you need to find ways to stop and rest, if you want to build rhythms to prepare your own heart in anticipation of Christmas - we’ve got something that might help.
The Urban Mystics Podcast started last January as a project to create guided contemplative meditations that anyone could listen to and follow along with. All you need is some headphones and a quiet place to listen and be still.
Right now, The Urban Mystics Podcast is releasing weekly guided Advent meditations through Christmas. We want to help you find stillness, rest, and reflection through practices of listening and contemplation. We released our first Advent episode called “Welcome to Advent” on Sunday, December 3rd. That episode and new meditations every Sunday through Christmas are available to stream on most major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, Iheart and more.
Let us lead you into a deeper experience of both God and self. Start building regular rhythms of meditation into your spiritual journey. Listen to our Advent series of meditations and many more guided meditations on the Urban Mystics Podcast.
Continue New Rhythms into the New Year
Check out Upcoming ReWireU Courses
The Urban Mystics Podcast will continue releasing new episodes into the new year - but, if you’re looking for something deeper to help sustain new spiritual rhythms, check out ReWireU’s upcoming schedule of formation classes.
Centered Living: Rhythms for an Integrated Life
We offer Centered Living periodically throughout the year, in rotation with our other ReWireU courses. Click the button below to learn more about this class and submit your contact information to receive updates about when this course is being offered again!
