WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS HAVE TO DO WITH A COLLEGE STUDENT?

There’s a long stretch of life where you’re on the receiving end of Christmas. The gifts are thoughtful and useful. You participate in the church Christmas program, help your parents in the kitchen, and unwrap gifts.

Then there’s a season of life where you’re the giver of Christmas. You plan the meals, arrange the gatherings, buy and wrap the presents. You think of traditions and execute them, trying with everything you have to make it perfect and also make your kids care more about Jesus than all the stuff. 

And then there’s you. Right now.

You are in this weird season where you have no money but you can vote and study. Where on your worst days you think about Christmas as the time you relax after finals, and on your best days you start realizing what a MIRACLE it is that the world’s savior came as a baby. 
First, you should know that all of us, at every age, are trying to grasp the importance of Christmas. Fighting to come back to the beauty of the birth of Jesus. 

Second, As much as it may not seem like it, you are uniquely positioned to connect to Advent in the season you’re in. You are preparing yourself to step into the post-grad life. A huge part of getting there is waiting. Waiting for the spark of knowing what to major in, what internships to take, or where to apply (ServeHere, of course). Of longing for a future you’re trying to picture. But I actually love the picture you’re living in- you’re not just sitting and waiting for the future. Your waiting is active. You are taking classes and testing your faith. You are asking questions, living in community, finding out what gifts you have to use. You’re fighting to surrender and trust. You’re not just learning about the Gospel, this story is for you. 

Who better to relate to the world that waited … and waited… and waited… praying and believing that God told the truth?
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Jesus was born in a place no one could have imagined, to people no one else would have chosen, in a way that didn’t quite make sense… all completely purposeful. It’s the most hopeful of messages for those of you trying to muster up a completely unforeseeable future. 
And your job in the waiting?
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Anchoring your faith.

Keep doing one thing at a time and start letting the thread of your God be part of every small step.