A Quiet Revolution
Advent as a Framework for Resistance
“Advent is not like waiting for a bus to arrive. Rather, it is an active waiting in which we live the present moment to the full in order to find there the signs of the One we are waiting for.” —Henri Nouwen
I hate waiting.
I hate the awkward silence of waiting, the inefficiency, the nagging feeling that time is slipping away.
As a Type A, results-driven person, waiting feels like failure.
But Advent challenges that instinct.
In a culture that thrives on hurry, Advent calls us to do something radical: wait.
For generations, the people of Israel waited.
Prophets like Isaiah and Micah had spoken of a coming Messiah centuries earlier, and their words were carried as promises through exile, oppression, and silence. Imagine the longing, the questions, the wondering if God had forgotten them.
And then, in a manger in Bethlehem, God entered human history in a way no one expected, offering hope, peace, joy, and love as a rhythm of resistance.
This month, we’ll explore the Advent framework as a quiet revolution—an invitation for followers of Jesus to resist cynicism, anxiety, despair, and division.
Let’s get started.
1. Hope as Resistance to Cynicism
Cynicism whispers, “Why bother?” It tells us that hope is foolish, that disappointment is inevitable, and that it’s better to expect the worst than to be let down. It masquerades as wisdom, but underneath, it’s fear in disguise—a way to shield ourselves from pain by numbing our hearts to what could be.
Advent dares us to hope anyway. It invites us to remember that our hope isn’t rooted in human effort or circumstance but in the promises of God. When the prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, their hope wasn’t a naïve wish—it was a steadfast belief in God’s faithfulness. Isaiah declared, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2) long before that light broke into the world through Jesus.
In a culture dominated by skepticism, hope is the first act of resistance.
To hope is to trust that God is still writing the story, that redemption is not only possible but inevitable, and that light will always pierce the darkness.
This Advent, we resist cynicism by anchoring our hearts in the hope of Christ’s first coming and His promise to come again.
2. Peace as Resistance to Anxiety
Anxiety thrives in a world that never stops. Notifications ping, deadlines loom, and the endless stream of bad news keep us on edge. We’re told that if we work harder, hustle faster, and stay constantly connected, we might finally achieve the peace we crave.
But Advent shows us a better way.
When the angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth” (Luke 2:14), they weren’t describing a world free from conflict but the presence of God entering into human chaos. True peace isn’t the absence of trouble; it’s the presence of Jesus in the midst of it. Advent peace is about pausing long enough to remember that God is in control, even when everything feels out of control.
In a culture of anxiety, peace is the second act of resistance.
It’s choosing stillness over busyness, trust over worry, and rest over endless striving. It’s lighting a candle in the darkness and remembering that Jesus is called the Prince of Peace for a reason.
3. Joy as Resistance to Despair
In a season usually dominated by lights and cheerful music, the undercurrent of despair can feel stronger than ever. For many, the holidays amplify loneliness, grief, or unfulfilled longings. The temptation is to retreat, wallow in what’s missing, or mask the pain with temporary distractions.
But Advent joy doesn’t deny the hard things—it shines through them. The angel’s words to the shepherds still ring true today: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Advent reminds us that joy isn’t tied to circumstances but to the unshakable reality of Emmanuel—God with us.
In a culture of despair, joy is the third act of resistance.
Joy is resistant because it declares that darkness doesn’t get the final word. It looks for the fingerprints of God in the ordinary and chooses gratitude over complaint.
This Advent, joy calls us to celebrate not because everything is perfect but because Jesus has come, and he changes everything.
4. Love as Resistance to Division
Love often feels impossible—or at least conditional in a deeply divided world. Love your neighbor, we’re told, but only if they think like you, vote like you, or live like you. Division feeds on fear and fuels a cycle of othering that pits people against one another.
Advent love breaks that cycle.
It’s the kind of love that caused Jesus to leave the glory of heaven and enter into the mess of humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16). Advent reminds us that love is costly, inconvenient, and requires crossing boundaries. It compels us to see others as God sees them—worthy of grace, even when undeserved.
In a culture of division, love is the final act of resistance.
To love during Advent is to resist the forces that divide us. It’s choosing to listen instead of argue, to extend kindness instead of judgment, and to create bridges instead of walls.
Advent love is Christ’s love.
Work These Words
Jesus invites us to push back against cynicism, anxiety, despair, and division this Advent season, allowing His presence to shape how we live and love.
Use these four reflection questions to help you get started.
1. Hope as Resistance to Cynicism: Where have you allowed cynicism to take root in your heart?
2. Peace as Resistance to Anxiety: In what areas of your life are you holding onto control or striving for outcomes that only leave you restless?
3. Joy as Resistance to Despair: What circumstances make it difficult for you to choose joy?
4. Love as Resistance to Division: Where are you tempted to let fear or differences keep you from loving others?
As you sit with these questions, may you discover the beauty of an Advent life that doesn’t just prepare for Christmas but actively resists the forces of the culture that pull you away from Jesus.
PS: If you’re looking for a way to go deeper this Advent season, I’ve created a FREE 24-Day Advent Guide to help you reflect daily on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Click here to download.
Amazing