Sandra McCracken on Navigating the Space Between: Reflections on Christmas Hope

Can a Poetic Pause Help us Embrace the In-Between Moments of the Season?

On this special Christmas Day episode of the Good Faith Podcast, host Curtis Chang and singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken each explore the nativity, the "space between" Christ's first coming and second coming, and how Christian faith holds grief and joy together in a world that often "does not mesh with Jesus." Featuring Madeleine L'Engle's poem "First Coming" and music from McCracken's Christmas EP I Heard the Bells (including "The Space Between"), this episode invites listeners to slow down, notice the small things, and find God's nearness in waiting and quiet wonder.

(00:03:02) Christian Response to a Troubled World

(00:04:22) Madeleine L'Engle's "First Coming"

(00:08:35) Sandra McCracken's Christmas Reflections

(00:12:14) What Is Blessing the Space Between?

(00:12:47) Songwriting and the Sacred Space Between

(00:15:10) From Christmas to New Year's: Blessing the In-Between Times

(00:17:12) Nativity, Slowness, and the Nearness of God

(00:20:01) Curtis Chang's Closing Reflections

Enter the Christmas Day give away Good Faith mugs & a Sandra McCracken Christmas album

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Mentioned In This Episode:

• Madeleine L'Engle's The Ordering of Love
• Madeleine L'Engle's "First Coming"
• Luci Shaw's Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation
• Sandra McCracken's Christmas EP I Heard the Bells
• Sandra McCracken's "The Space Between"

More From Sandra McCracken:

• Sandra McCracken's website
• Sandra's first Christmas album Sandra McCracken Christmas (2020)

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.