When Christians seek to celebrate the foundation of Christmas, they collide with what’s been called the scandal of the holiday. Jesus was born to a family not of power and wealth, but of poverty and humility-a family soon forced to flee, to become homeless refugees, their infant son targeted for death by the insecurities of a king. It resonates with the reality of many who have been our neighbors but are now themselves forced into hiding or exile. Many, particularly those of Mexican heritage, are drawing inspiration in these difficult times from the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our guest in this episode of Challenge 2.0, a professor at Seattle University, explains how this almost five-hundred year old story offers guidance not only for Mexican-Americans, but for all.

The word ‘hangry’ describes a real physical condition; when hunger-low blood sugar-causes the release of hormones that make people angry. It’s also been used to describe the emotional state in this country. In last week’s episode of Challenge 2.0, we explored the rise of Nihilism-the rising drive to destroy-institutions, relationships, individuals. This week, we continue our conversation

Faith in religion isn’t the only element at or near an all-time low in America; so is faith in American institutions. That was the finding of a recent Gallup poll. Observers say that masks an even more serious trend-the willing embrace of demonization and fearmongering, the drive to destroy and to gain power by any means possible. That trend, that orientation, is called Nihilism. In this episode of Challenge 2.0, three Seattle-area faith leaders address that trend-it’s foundations, it’s cost and constructive responses.