When the church that was supposed to save you left scars instead.

This isn't your grandmother's Advent devotional.

Hope When the Light Feels Distant is for those who've been wounded by the very faith that promised healing. For progressive Christians and spiritual refugees who still feel the tug of Advent's candles even as they question everything they were taught. For anyone who thought they had to choose between honest doubt and stubborn hope.

Over 29 days, Rev. D.R. Wells guides you through the traditional Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love-but without the spiritual bypassing, without the toxic positivity, without pretending your questions are sins. Drawing from the Wesleyan tradition while speaking in accessible, contemporary language, each daily reflection offers:

• Honest storytelling that doesn't center privilege or oversimplify pain
• Scripture from the NRSVue translation, explored with intellectual rigor and pastoral gentleness
• Theological depth that takes your deconstruction seriously
• Practical invitations that meet you exactly where you are
• Space for doubt to coexist with faith

This devotional recognizes that Advent's darkness isn't metaphorical for many of us-it's the reality of religious trauma, systemic injustice, and the exhausting work of rebuilding faith from the ground up. It celebrates a Christ who shows up first for the marginalized, who refuses to let our chaos have the final word, and who meets us in our doubt with scars and all.

For those leaving harmful theology behind. For those who need permission to hope again. For those finding Christ outside the institution that failed them.

Light your candles. Bring your questions. There's room here for all of it.