I'm a gay, celibate pastor of a conservative church. Here's a trick for de-escalation.

For many, this year is the first holiday family get-together since before COVID-19. You skipped last year. A pandemic makes such a wonderful excuse. But this year, you have to go.

Nearly every family has someone that people secretly hope doesn't come home for the holidays. You know who they are. No one will admit it, but you’re ashamed of them. Embarrassed. They make your skin crawl. You cringe at their inappropriate jokes. Their pontificating.

So you try to brainstorm. How can I spend at least one hour with these people before having to leave when my prearranged emergency phone call comes through – the one requiring my sad but necessary departure?