Entering Advent in a time of Crisis: Bah Humbug or Hope-Filled Anticipation?

Ministry personnel only with Marg Janick-Grayston

The advent season takes us on a journey towards Christmas, the ultimate symbol of hope, love and giving.  For many of us it has become a time for family gatherings, big feasts around the table, and the exchange of gifts and hugs.  But, with COVID, and distancing, and tiny bubbles of contact in our midst, we may feel more like Ebenezer Scrooge whose response to Christmas was “Bah Humbug” because it lacked meaning for him.  With everything that is going on, it may feel harder for us this year to enter this season with hope-filled anticipation.  In our time together we will be checking into our “internal weather forecast” to see how we, and the communities of faith we relate to, are entering the Advent Season.  Secondly, we will consider why this season overflows with hope from a historical perspective, and where hope is showing up today.  Lastly, we will review some research information on the negative and positive effects of faith in a time of crisis, and brainstorm ways to acknowledge people’s struggles, as well as embrace our faith in the most positive of ways to reconnect us with hope.