Alphabet of Ideas

The presidential election of 2016 revealed a deep divide between Americans, accompanied by strident and frightening rhetoric. Regardless of how you voted, we are all anxious about the future of our beloved nation. Perhaps you are wondering, “What can I do to heal the divisions, to bring my own ideals into the public square, and to act on the values I hold dear?”  For Christians, the question is even more focused. “How can I walk with Jesus through these anxious times?”

These are Advent questions, my friends. Although Christmas carols fill the air, Advent has traditionally been a somber season, a time when we experience longing for a world not yet revealed. Advent invites us to name the world’s sorrow and pain, while we wait with hope for the coming reign of Christ. Advent calls us to be faithful, even when we cannot see the star or hear the angel’s promise of joy.

On Nov. 9^th as I felt powerless, scared and sad, I thought, “What can I do?”  What can I personally do to turn back the tide of despair, to bring some small measure of kindness to the world?   I started to go through the alphabet, trying to find an active verb for each letter. Only after I finished my list, did I realize that 26 letters of the alphabet is pretty much one for every day of Advent.

So here’s a suggestion. Take a look at my Alphabet of Ideas for Anxious Times (below).  Each day during Advent, pick one action and try to do it. Maybe you’ll make your own list.  You won’t be able to complete this work by Christmas. Maybe you’ll want to keep going after Christmas. Maybe you’ll use it for the next four years… or forty.

For children, the challenge of Advent is waiting until Christmas morning.  For adults, the challenge of Advent is acting to make the world ready for Jesus once again.

Let us begin.