Cocktail Banter connects you with the best of politics and pop culture. It’s the podcast that gives you everything you need to know to be in the know.

For many people, the holiday season feels different this year. Here in the United States and around the world, brokenness seems to be overtaking joy. (0:33, 8:15) 

In this episode, writer Kristin Tennant shares her thoughts about celebrating Advent and fighting injustice. 

Kristin has been thinking about Advent in new and different ways that can help all of us step back from the lights and tinsel. She offers her perspective about how we can use the holiday season to slow down, notice the world around us (16:50) and take action to make things better. (33:44)

She talks about how the practices of Advent relate to fighting injustice, and draws from the idea behind stay woke. We discuss how the often over-scheduled holiday season can become something different: a time when we wake up to the world around us and find ways to contribute to solutions to the problems in our communities and around the world. (15:30, 21:30)

If you've never celebrated Advent before, she offers some suggestions about how to incorporate the traditions of Advent into your holiday celebrations (41:00). And if you'd like to learn more, check out these Advent readings, this podcast and this book that Kristin recommends. (45:17)

Read more of Kristin's work here and here, and continue the conversation by connecting with her on Twitter and Instagram.