Trump’s Casual Cruelty and Advent’s Hard Question

Are we willing to step out of the center so God can take our place?

Dear friends —

This Advent, all paid subscribers are receiving the Letters from Leo Advent Reflection Series: a daily companion to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas — and to reckon with what his arrival demands of us, personally and publicly, in a moment of deep moral and political crisis.

It’s not too late to join us. Today’s reflection is below.

To give you a sense of what you’ll encounter, I’ve unlocked two pieces for all readers.

The first is our opening Sunday reflection, which sets the tone for the season.

The second is last Tuesday’s reflection, where I wrote candidly about the isolating pain me and so many others experience during the holidays — and how Advent meets us there, not to deny the loneliness, but to reveal God’s quiet presence within it.

These reflections will continue each day through Christmas.

Letters from Leo is open to anyone who wants to be informed and inspired by our pope — and to turn that inspiration into action that leaves America and the world more just, less cold, and more alive with hope.

If you’d like to support this work during the holiday season, here are three ways you can help:

• Subscribe as a paid member to receive exclusive posts about the life and formation of Pope Leo and help sustain this newsletter.

• Donate with a one-time gift to fuel this project’s mission.

• Share this post (and Letters from Leo) with a friend who might enjoy it.

Whether you give $0, $1, or $1,000, your presence here matters — no matter your faith or your politics.

Thank you for reading. I’ll see you on the road.

“Teach me your ways, O Lord.” (Psalm 25:4)

Today’s Readings

It’s strange, isn’t it?

The whole world is caught up in the holiday rush — streets jammed and stores open late as people chase the perfect gifts.

Our entire world centers on Christmas; we even measure time by Christ’s birth. Yet so often we celebrate the season without truly recognizing him at its heart.

December, for all its beauty and joy, can distract us from what matters most.