Why Does it Matter?

My hope for you this Advent, is that you wonder quietly, or perhaps aloud over dinner — why does this story matter?

Nov 21, 2024

One of my professors often asks “why does it matter?” I find the question (in its many forms) on outlines, tucked into assignments, as I study for vocabulary tests, and deeply rooted in her lectures.

In her class, Theology: Doctrine and Themes, I could easily get lost in terms like perichoresis, apostolicity, or any other word on our list (of 100+ terms) that we are required to know for our upcoming final. As I consider christocentrism and wrestle with atonement theories, I keep bringing myself back to her question — why does it matter? It seems to me that none of this new knowledge matters if I can’t find where it fits into our actual lives.

On Tuesday I turned in a paper for the class answering the question “Why does it matter that Jesus was human as well divine?” The idea was to focus on the importance of Jesus’ humanity (the other option was to focus on His divinity.) While writing, I recalled a time when I wept while preparing for a sermon. I had been reading from Matthew chapter one: and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us1. I was so moved that day, that I cried! Sitting alone. Reading a passage I had heard and read countless times. It was as if I heard those words for the first time.

Every Advent since (and throughout the year2), I have been in awe of the incarnation. I’m so moved by the reality that God, Creator of heaven and earth, became a tiny baby. God became a human who ate meals, watched sunsets, and grieved over the loss of friends. God became flesh and dwelt among us.

Advent means coming or arrival. For Christians, it is the season of anticipation or preparation for the arrival of Jesus. Emmanuel. God with us. Of course, Jesus’ birth was long ago, but during Advent, we practice resting in the liminal space of waiting for the Kingdom of God—which has both arrived and is also arriving. Said another way, the Kingdom of God is both here and not yet. During Advent, we try to get comfortable in the anticipation.

This weekend is Christ the King Sunday, the last week of the liturgical year before we begin anew with Advent. As I prepare my sermon, I keep asking myself why does it matter? Why does it matter that God dwelt among us? I’ve already turned in my paper, so I have a few ideas — but I think what has been the most meaningful is the consideration of the question. Why does the incarnation matter? What does it mean to you today as you respond to emails and do dishes? As you make grocery lists and turn on another episode of Bluey? What does Jesus’ humanity mean as you awkwardly hug your middle schooler or as you grieve over the empty chairs around the Thanksgiving table? Why does it matter that God is with us?

My hope for you this Advent, is that you wonder quietly, or perhaps aloud over dinner — why does this story matter? Why do we sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and put up trees, and light candles? Why do we celebrate the birth of Jesus? My hope is that you’ll join me in the waiting this Advent, as we wonder together about the gift of the incarnation.

alongside you in the wondering,

holly

P.S. Next week I’ll be sending along a few gratitude practices before we jump back into Advent. This is what I’m thinking about this week though as I plan for my upcoming mini-retreat (and also, perhaps like you, I’m a little all over the place as reach the final stretch of 2024).

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In just a few weeks, I’ll be hosting Preparing to Wait, a virtual lunchtime retreat. This mini-retreat will be a spacious time to prayerfully consider how you would like to enter the season of Advent. I hope you’ll join me on December 3rd from 12 pm - 1:30pm CT for a contemplative, guided retreat followed by conversation. The cost of the retreat is $15 (scholarships and discounts are available.)

Sign-up Here

Links & Spiritual Direction News:

Anam Cara is offering a Poetry Advent Calendar again this year! You can sign-up to receive a daily Advent poem read aloud. I also love to listen to Emily P. Freeman’s Quiet Collection each year.
A couple of Substacks that have been a DELIGHT this week: Dance Class for Middle Aged Women from Shannon K. Evans and Catherine Newman’s Three Things.
Also! I’m the 2025 recipient of The Church Lab’s Empowering Experiments Mini Grant! Next spring I’ll be leading a workshop / group direction for ministry leaders in Austin, TX interested in learning to Listen Like a Spiritual Director. Click here for more information.