At times I want to protest the commercialization of Christmas. In today’s episode we talk about tinsel and tacky decorations and the fact that our son, when he was two years old, thought more highly of Santa than God. Part of me wants to do away with Christmas extravagance altogether. Yet from the beginning of Jesus’ life, people responded with extravagant generosity.

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A simple statement from our son makes me realize I haven’t talked much about other religions with our children. This episode gives you a chance to eavesdrop on our conversation. Can we honor each religious tradition without pretending they’re all the same? 

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Today we’re reading Matthew 1:22-25, which describes Joseph and Mary’s preparations to welcome Jesus as their son. Preparing room means clearing out space. Cleaning up. Moving the detritus into the basement. How do I prepare room for Jesus on a spiritual level?

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Today we’re reading Matthew 1:18-21, where the angel implies that Joseph is afraid to take Mary home as his wife. I’m grateful we aren’t asked to eliminate fears in order to claim hope. Rather we are invited to bring hope and fear in a mixed up jumble to Jesus.

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Today’s podcast comes from Matthew 1:1-17, which might seem boring because it’s a genealogy, but Jesus’ story starts here, and this list of names is important. It reminds us that Jesus—the one who in just a few verses will be named God with us—came to us in a body.

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I’ve written often about Advent and Christmas. A few years ago I gathered many of those thoughts into an ebook so they could accompany the Biblical stories of Jesus’ coming and birth. This year, I am reading that ebook out loud. To you. One day at a time.

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Today’s episode gives a sense of our journey together this Advent season. We’re preparing for love to show up on Christmas morning in the form of a baby, but we’re also longing for love to show up in the midst of the everyday stress and joy of the holiday season.

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Listen now to get a sense of season one of the Love is Stronger than Fear podcast. Amy Julia Becker introduces a series of reflections about God showing up in the midst of the everyday life of eating, drinking, and doing too much, and experiencing love and grace through it all. 

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