This Advent, try a media fast

Advent is here! The most beautiful time of year, in its own special way, different even from the glory of Christmas and Easter. I like Advent because it is a time of waiting, of quiet, of hope and looking forward to joy. That’s the idea, anyway. But - that can be hard to do when we live in a world of eternal distractions.

So, this month I wrote an article, now up at Catholic Stand, called This Advent, Consider a Media Fast. If you’re looking for quiet, there’s no better way that to evaluate all your media consumption - news, sports, apps, social media, books, magazines, podcasts - and make choices about where to “fast” from them. That may mean simply cutting back on the amount of time spent, eliminating them altogether, or replacing with something else. All that and more in the article!

I also joined the Morning Air Show last week to discuss this topic. You can catch that conversation here, starting around minute 16:47.

Are you somewhere that’s expecting snow? Perhaps you’re enjoying Advent and Christmas on a sunny beach? Enjoy! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

This Advent, Consider a Media Fast

Advent – a time of beautiful, peaceful anticipation – is here! Advent is not a specifically penitential season, like Lent, and we don’t typically give things up. However, we do have an opportunity to refocus. For that reason, Advent is a great time to reconsider how we spend our time on our devices and on what media we consume. This Advent, consider taking a “fast” – or, a break – from all the news, stories, shows, and entertainment that distract you, replacing them with holier and more inspirational content, or better yet, prayer.

Why Advent?

Advent is important because, like Lent, it is a season of preparation. We are to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. If you’re like me, spending too much time watching junk on Netflix (even something seemingly harmless like this year’s popular rom-com about an attractive snowman coming to life) truly can distract you from your spiritual life. So, what kinds of replacements can we make in our media consumption habits during Advent? All kinds!

Where do I begin?

First, do an audit of your media consumption habits. When, where, and how often are you: checking your social media accounts; listening to the radio or podcasts; watching movies, shows, or YouTube; or reading a book or a magazine? How much of your media consumption focuses on sports and politics?

Then, what are your goals this Advent? Do you want more time to pray, to learn more about a saint or aspect of theology, or to spend in front of the Blessed Sacrament instead of your phone or computer, for example?

Keep in mind that you can decide how much you “give up” and detach. The content could be all your non-Catholic media or just enough each day to make room for greater inner quiet and contemplation.

Once you have done an honest self-assessment – you could call this an examination of conscience – then you can decide what you are giving up and with what you are replacing it.

Tips for switching up your content

Keep in mind that you don’t have to replace media in a one-for-one manner.  Instead of not watching your weekly show and replacing it with a Catholic show, you might simply spend more time with your family. If you are seeking new media altogether, here are a few suggestions.

First, do you listen to Catholic radio? Now’s your chance! While many excellent Catholic stations exist, providing affirming and authentically Catholic content every day, I am personally partial to Relevant Radio, where I have been a regular contributor to its daily Morning Air show for nearly a decade.

Next: do you have a prayer app? Many people use Hallow, which provides reflections, readings, and prayers at your fingertips. Many Catholic apps exist; do some research to see which fits you best.

Likewise, if you’re already a fan of listening to podcasts, switch to something like Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Catechism in a Year or Bible in a Year podcasts, which are globally popular for good reason. I also enjoy Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World, which examines historical, scientific, and supernatural mysteries of the world through the lenses of both faith and reason.

If you’ve got a shelf of spiritual books that you haven’t yet read, Advent is the perfect opportunity. I am spending Advent reading John Paul II’s encyclical on the family, Familiaris Consortio, which seems appropriate for contemplating while the Holy Family is front and center in the life of the Church.

As for TV and shows, Advent is a great time to consume stories that are uplifting, wholesome, and point our thoughts to God. Watch  “The Chosen” or sign up for the Pray More Novenas Advent Retreat and let your regular shows take a break until January.

Lastly, the best substitute for mindless media consumption is prayer. This Advent, know that you can find time to cultivate that inner quietness, rather than turning immediately to consuming some form of distracting media.

Biggest goal: preparing your heart

Advent is brief – much briefer than Lent – but gives us a chance to refocus on what matters.  The suggestions here are just a few ideas to get you started, and with your own research, you’ll find countless ways to re-fill your time. And, if you make a fast from traditional media this year, you may find yourself uninterested in returning to those old media habits once all is over. Another plus is that you will likely find that any of these new media habits you are enjoying are completely appropriate for the entire family. Best of all, you will have made room in your heart for the coming of Christ.

Confession on the rise!

Friends, this week I joined the Morning Air Show to discuss the great news that the practice of regular confession is on the rise among Catholics, and how we can get ourselves to confession more regular. You can listen to that conversation here.

My tips? One is to know where you can go to confession, because it may not be your Sunday parish if you work outside your own neighborhood. Likewise, make yourself an appointment in your calendar - and keep it! Plus, do a good examination of conscience, even if it’s while you’re standing in line. And remember the priest doesn’t care what your sins are - and definitely won’t even remember them.

We talked about how going to confession is like taking a “spiritual bath.” Doesn’t that sound nice?

Now get yourself to confession!

It's okay to celebrate Halloween; election novena

Readers, with Halloween arriving this Thursday, take heart that it is totally okay to dress up, celebrate, eat candy, and generally carry on in the spirit of the spooky season. Listen here for my last appearance on Morning Air where we discussed just that. As it turns out, Halloween has Catholic roots. But, if you’re still worried about “opening yourself up” to evil, as they say, then dress up as a saint. It’s all a win-win!

In other news, the election is last week and I have been praying along with Pray More Novenas election novena (sorry, can’t find a direct link to the novena; they email it every day). Today is day two and here is something from the prayer that struck me:

Give us the courage to be detached from our political loyalties and be first a faithful follower of Jesus, the true King…In this election, O God, we pray for the best political leaders possible in this fallen world, but we place our ultimate trust in You.  

“Detached” is a great state to pursue with regards to politics. How do we detach ourselves? Part of it is practical: put down the phone and the headlines, and especially the tweets. Part of it is metaphysical, and that is what the second half touches on: place your ultimate trust in God.

It is possible politics has become our national religion because our actual religion (historically, Christianity) has been marginalized and minimized. I’ve written about this before - Evangelizing a Post-Christian World.

Everyone wants to - must - follow something. It is how we are (spoiler alert: because God made us that way, so we would seek Him). So politicians become Gods (idols) and everyone with a social media account is a prophet. It’s a lot of noise. And no matter what happens on the election, or the day after, you will still wake up in the same life, in the same country, with the same family, with the same chores and work which need to be done, with the same amount of money in your bank account. What I mean to say is: even if your candidate wins, they are not your savior. We mustn’t give our politics and out politicians this power. It is poisonous, and antithetical to human flourishing. Jesus did not ask us to follow politicians and vote early - he asked (really, commanded) us to follow Him. Simple.

Do vote, do educate yourself, do follow reasonable voices, do teach your children about civics. But just remember: in the end, God is in control.