Opinion

In day 18 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Word&Way Editor-in-Chief Brian Kaylor reflects on violent insurrections during the time of Jesus’s birth and what that can teach us today.

In day 17 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Jennifer Butler reflects on watching the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and how people again misunderstand who Jesus was and what he came to do.

Anita Peebles notes that we all might never truly be ready for Advent, no matter what year it is. But she argues that we need a reminder every year that time, like life, like matter, like energy, is a cycle—that human systems of domination can be subverted by a little baby born in an out-of-the-way place to a vulnerable teenager.

In day 16 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, David Gushee reflects on Isaiah 29:17-21 and its word for today after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

In day 15 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Contributing Writer Rodney Kennedy reflects on the theology of a new ad from Caesars Sportsbook and the clash between “Caesar is Lord!” and “Jesus is Lord!”

In day 14 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Angela Parker reflects the conflicting ancient treatment of literal shepherds and the use of she shepherd metaphor to describe rulers.

In day 13 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Brad Lyons reflects on the story of the Murder of the Innocents and how its message resonates with our world today.

Lauren Graeber explores how a lullaby about stars that were actually shuttered openings to heaven has influenced how she understands what it means to believe in angels. Complicating things, the Advent season comes with helping children make sense of the most famous angel story in the Bible.

In day 12 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Starlette Thomas reflects on how Jesus didn’t come to fit in with the empire but some Christians still crave proximity to power.

In day 11 of our Unsettling Advent devotional series, Word&Way Voices Editor Jeremy Fuzy reflects on how Christians should act on difficult issues like racial injustices. He recounts advice he heard growing up about not swerving when watching for deer.