What if we were handed a sheet of paper—not for a Christmas list, but for an Advent list of things we want Jesus to take away? What does the holy thief need to steal from your life so you can live more awake? What needs to be cleared away so that you have more room for what matters most?

Even in the midst of our worst trials and tribulations, there are joyful glimpses of the coming Kingdom all around us. But in order to notice them, we have to broaden our imagination and be open to and ready for surprises. This is the message of the Gospels and it is anything but stale. It’s compelling, and it holds more promise than any modern headline we could read.