Season 1, Episode 13 – Merry Christmas from Bishop DeDe

Discussion/Journaling Questions

1. Reflecting on Discomfort and Authenticity: Bishop DeDe points out the disconnect between the traditional Christmas cheer and global suffering and personal challenges. How do you personally reconcile the festive expectations of Christmas with the reality of pain and hardship in the world? How might this tension affect your own sense of peace and hope during the holiday season?
2. Evaluating Traditions: Bishop DeDe suggests that it might be helpful to modify or even forego certain Christmas traditions this year to better align with our current realities. What traditions are meaningful to you, and how might they be adjusted to better reflect your current state of mind or circumstances?
3. Incarnational Living: The episode discusses being present and mindful as a way to experience God’s Incarnation. How do you practice mindfulness or attentiveness in your daily life, and how does this practice help you feel more connected to God and others?
4. Space for God: Bishop DeDe talks about making physical and emotional space for God’s presence. In what ways can you create space for spiritual reflection and connection in your own life, especially during busy or stressful times?
5. Attentiveness to Self and Others: The podcast highlights the importance of being attentive to our own feelings and those of others. How can paying attention to your own emotional state and the needs of those around you lead to a deeper experience of Christmas? Share an example of a time when attentiveness made a difference in a relationship or situation.
6. Finding God in Pain and Suffering: Bishop DeDe acknowledges the difficulty of finding joy and meaning when faced with significant pain or loss. How do you find God’s presence in times of suffering, either personally or in the world around you? What practices or perspectives help you cope with and make sense of these experiences?
7. Creating Sacred Space: Reflect on the idea of “sacred space” mentioned in the episode. What does creating sacred space mean to you, and how can you incorporate this concept into your Christmas celebration or daily life?
8. Mindfulness and Transformation: The episode touches on using mindfulness as a way to connect with God’s presence. How does mindfulness transform your daily interactions and overall sense of well-being? Can you think of a specific moment where mindfulness led to a positive change in your life?

AI Disclosure: To support our small staff in their limited time, many of our episode discussion questions are first generated by AI and then edited and refined by staff members to be in line with our podcast goals and our diocesan vision and mission.