Can an apple pie teach you to gently approach potential conflict? The answer, miraculously, is yes — and you can learn more about this by reading Karen Hice Guzmán’s recent article about the “Approaching Differences” diagram, a centerpiece of InterVarsity’s cross-cultural training process for many decades. The steps are both simple and profound, inviting us into a posture of self-awareness and generosity that takes practice and pays dividends. Karen breaks down the diagram and helps us envision the benefits of its usage in a faculty meeting, in a classroom, or when Uncle Roy begins to expound on his political opinions at Christmas dinner.

“There still can be differences of opinion, preferences, and decisions. And it can still feel uncomfortable. It will mean leaning in and continuing to pursue conversation and collaboration and cooperation. However, relationships are preserved — maybe even deepened — rather than harmed or abandoned. And isn’t that what we hope for?”

As Christmas Day draws near, we’re invited to center our minds on the incarnated Christ, God with Us, who voluntarily came to live amongst us. Ann Boyd reflects on the power dynamics of this historic event and the images Mary elicits in her song of praise, inspiring a thread of wonder over the richness of underdog stories — especially those in children’s books. These stories turn power on its head, reminding us that one must decide if power is to be used to serve others or serve oneself. How might God be inviting us to examine our power?

“We all need these stories to shape our imaginations, whether from children’s literature, good fiction, biographies of courageous men and women, or from Scripture. We need stories that illustrate how to best use whatever power we may have, whether as undergrad students or presidents of universities.”

You’re Invited!

End-of-Year Giving. As you think through your charitable giving this December, would you consider a donation to the work of Women Scholars and Professionals? Our work is solely funded through the support of our readers and listeners. Learn more about how to give at our Giving Portal. Thank you!

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Pray with us in the future! Prayer meetings will resume January 17. You can join our online, 30-minute guided prayer meetings on Fridays at 8 am, 9 am, and 12 pm (Eastern). Can’t come? Send your prayer requests anyway by emailing us at wsap@intervarsity.org. Ready to pray? Join the Zoom meeting here for those Friday meetings.

Looking for an Advent devotional? We at The Well are following the 2024 Advent Project, available for free online and produced by the Biola University Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts. Join us!

Get your copy of the Spring 2025 Book Club selection! Join Women Scholars and Professionals this spring for a discussion of Habits of Hope: Educational Practices for a Weary World. Register now to receive your 40% discount for a copy of the book and prepare for online discussions about a Christian understanding of hope in academia. We hope you can join us!

IVP Faculty exam copies. Professors can request a free exam or desk copy for InterVarsity Press titles adopted for classroom use up to three times a year. Your free exam or desk copy will be sent to you within four weeks. Register for a professional account to access this benefit!

Are you an InterVarsity alum? Use promo code IVCFALUMNI to get a 25% discount at ivpress.com.

Downloadable Pocket Prayer Card from Graduate Healthcare Ministries. Medical students at Brown asked for a small resource that would prompt them to pray throughout the day. Colleague Renee Nicholas created this card with psalms and short prayers to support them — and you’re invited to use it too! Thanks, Renee!

Calling All Scientists! The American Scientific Affiliation is hosting their Winter Symposium on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT. The topic is "AI & Christianity" and features speakers Joanna Ng and Rosalind Picard. Register for this online event here.

Save the Date: February 21-22, 2025 for Believers in Business. As the largest Christian MBA gathering in the country, the 2025 Believers in Business Conference is a key intersection of the Christian MBA and Christian professional communities. Mark your calendars to join them in New York this February!

Are you a new graduate student? We invite you to subscribe to a unique newsletter from InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries designed to support and encourage first-year grad students as they embark on the next step of their academic journey. If you’re a first-year graduate student, click here to subscribe.

Four More Things We Loved This Week

1. How to forgive someone (even if they don’t show remorse).

2. “I do not need Christmas tinsel — I need the blazing Christ-Light.” One theologian reflects on a deep hunger for Light this Advent.

3. A Liturgy for the Wrapping of Christmas Gifts.

4. “Here are 27 ways to romanticize your life for winter and embrace the hygge season.”