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As the Advent season begins, many progressive Christians find themselves balancing two seemingly opposing forces: the call to social action and the need for spiritual reflection. Advent, with its anticipation of Christ’s arrival, naturally stirs a sense of urgency—a desire to prepare our hearts and communities for the transformative work of God. But within that urgency, there’s an invitation often overlooked: a sacred pause.
The liturgical season of Advent marks a period of waiting. The four weeks preceding Christmas traditionally symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love. While these themes inspire reflection, they also call us into action, encouraging us to carry hope to the hopeless, work for peace, extend joy, and show radical love. For many progressive Christians, this call to embody the message of Advent translates into advocacy for justice, compassion, and tangible acts of service.
However, alongside this drive for social action, the contemplative tradition offers wisdom: we must also cultivate moments of stillness and mindfulness. This isn’t an invitation to retreat from the world’s pain but to engage it more deeply through a centered, mindful presence.
Mindfulness during Advent offers a counterbalance to constant doing. It invites us to remember that the foundation of all Christian action is rooted in being present with God and others. Rather than merely reacting to the world’s needs, mindfulness allows space for intentionality in our responses.
Incorporating mindfulness into Advent isn’t about ignoring the injustices of our world. It’s about recognizing that authentic action flows from a place of inner stillness. As Thomas Merton once observed, “There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence…[which is] activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence.”
For progressive Christians, the call to activism is clear—but so is the call to presence. The heart of mindfulness during Advent is this understanding that God is already at work in the world. Our work is to align ourselves with that divine presence.
For progressive Christians, activism is often driven by a desire to reflect God’s love in tangible ways. But the journey toward justice and compassion is a marathon, not a sprint. Without moments of rest and reflection, even the most well-intentioned activism can lead to burnout or disillusionment.
During Advent, we are called not only to look forward to the birth of Christ but also to embody His way of being. Jesus modeled a life that balanced action with periods of solitude and prayer. He often withdrew from the crowds to pray, listen, and discern the Father’s will. In doing so, He demonstrated that stillness is not an absence of action but an intentional grounding in the presence of God.
Advent is a season of paradox—of waiting and urgency, hope and lament, action and stillness. Embracing this tension requires a shift from seeing mindfulness as separate from activism. Instead, we recognize that stillness and contemplation deepen our capacity to serve with love, clarity, and courage.
For progressive Christians, the sacred pause is not an excuse for inaction but a source of renewal. It’s an opportunity to anchor our work for justice in a deep awareness of God’s presence, so our actions flow from a place of compassion and peace rather than exhaustion or anger.
As you enter this Advent season, consider embracing a sacred pause. Take moments to breathe, reflect, and listen. Let mindfulness not replace your call to action but enrich it. In this way, you prepare not just for Christ’s birth in a stable but for His rebirth in your heart and your world.
In the rush of the season and the urgency of the world’s needs, may you find the courage to be still. May your moments of silence deepen your work for justice. And may you, in the midst of the noise, hear the whisper of the God who comes to dwell among us.
