"Advent is a season for truth telling. It’s a season that asks How are you? and refuses to let you leave with a hurried fine. Advent looks you in the eye, reaches out to touch your shoulder, pulls you in for a strong hug when your eyes begin to brim over with tears. Advent sits with you in the silence as you struggle to express your deepest yearnings, your most peace-stealing fears."
--Stacy Nalean-Carlson, "How Are You?"