Feeling Advent

The lead-up to Christmas is full of big feelings. You can think of feelings in two categories: feelings when your needs are unmet and feelings when your needs are met. When your needs are unmet, you might feel cranky or annoyed. When your needs are met, you might feel joyful or calm. All of those feelings are expressions of biology. We feel emotions in our bodies. So there’s a wonderful connection between feelings and Advent. Advent is the season of divine embodiment. The story of Jesus’ arrival starts with ordinary humans feeling big feelings. Joseph is worried about stepping outside his community’s expectations. Elizabeth and Zechariah are self- conscious as they age, and their longed- for son is soon to arrive. Mary is dazzled as she encounters an angel who invites her into an outrageous story of divine nearness. The shepherds are invigorated by singing skies and a baby they run around to tell everyone about. Feeling Advent is about noticing how the story of Jesus’ arrival puts us in touch with the mystery we celebrate every year at Christmas.