We've made it to episode 23 of Faith All Over the Place, and I guess we'll consider this one our Christmas (or Advent) special. My friend, colleague, and partner in podcasting excellence, Stephen Kruiser, and I welcomed our colleague, Ashley McCully, to the mic to talk about Advent traditions.
I realized as we began talking that we're in three different stages of how we celebrate Christmas: Ashley has two young kids, Kruiser has a grown daughter, and I have a large extended family but no kids of my own. My evangelical/non-denominational perspective is remarkably different from their Catholic outlook on the season as well.
Ashley described her journey with Advent: growing up Baptist, converting to Catholicism, and becoming a mom. My experience is a little different. I don't know if most Restoration Movement churches do or don't do Advent, but the congregation where I grew up in the '80s didn't. And even when my family founded what's now Eastridge Church, it was just the "Christmas season" until a few years ago. Eastridge embracing Advent came at a time when it took on a deeper meaning for me personally as well.
We talked about withdrawing into family versus getting out among friends and community, the importance of serving others, and the dread of commercialism. We discussed how this time of year changes us as writers, and Ashley touched on Christmastime as a military wife and mom with a husband who is deployed.
If you're keeping track of our diversions, we did pretty well until the end. We got into a little inside baseball about PJ Media and passive voice. IYKYK.
Previously on Faith All Over the Place, Episode 22: The Annual Trashing of Secular Holiday Music
Check it out on the PJ Media podcast page or below; you can also find us on your favorite podcast app. Don’t forget to leave us a five-star rating and review if you really love what we do.
Christmas Is About Waiting — This Deal Is Not
Advent is about reflection, tradition, and preparing your heart for what really matters — which is exactly why now is the perfect time to upgrade how you engage with the news, culture, and faith conversations that don’t fit into tidy little boxes.
This week’s Faith All Over the Place Advent special reminds us that Christmas looks different depending on where you are in life — young kids, grown kids, or a table full of extended family — but thoughtful, honest conversation never goes out of season.
Right now, PJ Media is offering 74% off VIP with the Christmas code MERRY74. That means deeper reporting, smarter commentary, no ads, and full access to the writers and conversations you already trust — for less than the cost of a stocking stuffer that’ll be forgotten by New Year’s.
And here’s the best part: you can give PJ Media VIP as a gift with that same code. Know someone who loves faith, politics, culture, and unfiltered conversation? Give them something that lasts longer than Christmas cookies and doesn’t require batteries.
Celebrate Advent. Skip the commercial nonsense.
Get (or give) PJ Media VIP today with code MERRY74 — 74% off for Christmas.
Because waiting is holy. Saving 74% is just smart.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member