The Rev. Blair Pogue, Canon for Vitality and Innovation

Faithful Innovation Begins with Listening: Holy Listening This Advent and Christmas

From the Missioners

For Christians Advent is a season of hopeful waiting for the birth of the promised Christ child. Christmas is a celebration of the fact that God joined us in the person of Jesus. For Christians and non-Christians alike, Advent and Christmas can be stressful and exhausting. If we want to grow as followers of Jesus we need to slow down, remove unnecessary commitments from our calendars, and spend time listening to God and our neighbors. God speaks to us through scripture, silence, and often through the voice of those around us. As Christ’s ambassadors, we are called to be beacons of Christ’s light and love in our world. So many people are looking for hope and meaning!
 

This Advent, I invite you to make time every day to listen to scripture and to the people around you. Listening to scripture might involve reading a chapter from one of the Gospels, a Psalm or a portion of Isaiah chapters 40-44 each day. How might God be speaking to you through a specific passage? Listening to your neighbors, co-workers, family members, and the people you encounter as you go about your daily life will be an incredible gift to them and to you. Invite someone to share a cup of coffee or tea with you. Very few people are listened to. According to a 2024 report in US News, one in three Americans said they feel lonely at least once a week. One in 10 Americans say they feel lonely every day. Below are some questions you might ask. 

Warmup / First Encounter or Attempt to Connect:

  • Where are you from and what do you value most about that place? 
  • What did you do this last weekend? 
  • What are your interests / hobbies? 

Once You've Developed a Relationship: 

  • How satisfied are you with your job or neighborhood? 
  • What gives you the most joy? 
  • Who do you most enjoy hanging out with? 
  • What are your top concerns at the moment? 

After Having Established a Relationship of Trust: 

  • What events have defined you as a person? 
  • What makes you anxious or frustrated? 
  • If you could relive your life, what if anything would you change? 
  • What would need to happen for you to feel more satisfied? 

These questions and more may be found in Michael Moynagh's book Godsend: A Handbook for New Christian Communities.