I have written two spiritual books—a memoir about booze and finding God and a work of nonfiction about detachment from the stuff of earth and attachment to the Divine. I worked those words out in quiet, creative spaces, spaces where I did my best to silence the noise of the world and wake to music that is both human and Divine. I tried to translate that music, put it to words. And truth be told, that’s why I keep coming to the page. I believe the dance between the human and the Divine ought to be recorded. At least, as best as we can.

It’s Advent, the season of waiting and waking. As I wrote on Monday, ”Advent… is a time of preparation, reflection, and setting our hearts on the Magi's journey.” And so, I’m working out my own reflections in a quiet journal, one I won’t share here. Could there be a better practice of preparation and reflection than recording my honest reflections about life, faith, and the Advent season in which I am waiting for 2020 to be over?

Here’s the truth: I’d rather not do this alone. So, I’m inviting you to keep your own Advent journal. From now till Christmas Eve, carve out a little time each day and examine your day, your human dance with the divine. And if you want some tips on how to start, consider asking these four questions:

When did I feel most human, most alive today ?
When did I experience the presence of the numinous, the Divine?
Where did I fail to act with compassion, peace, or justice today?
How can I resolve to be more present to myself, the Divine, and others tomorrow?

Take some time for honest reflection at the end of each day. Keep your reflections in a particular journal, a Word document, or on Google Docs. And don’t be afraid to be creative. After all, we’ve been created to be creative. For bonus points, invite a friend to join the experience with you (simply change the email address in this form). What will you find? I don’t know. But don’t be surprised if it doesn’t draw you deeper into both the humanity and divinity of the Advent season.