Advent: An Inconvenience?>
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” right students? There is hot chocolate, cozy sweaters, cute socks, exciting festivities, and: exams. Oh what “fun” it is… In the midst of finals week, or maybe projects/deadlines are on the horizon for you, celebrating Advent can be the last thing on our minds.
Disclaimer: I am preaching to the college version of me as I sit and type out this devotional, so I hope I do not offend anyone (I would have been offended, so I totally understand).
As we approach the second week of Advent, I want you all to think about worshiping God in inconvenient times. Looking back to Mary and Joseph, the birth of Christ was very inconvenient. Mary was pregnant before marriage, and was publicly shamed and ridiculed. Joseph did not stone her, so perhaps others judged him. Then, while pregnant, Mary rode on a donkey for approximately ninety miles. (Think of the desert heat, the sandy wind, uneven roads, and I cannot imagine the donkey smelled great.) Imagine her pains… yeah very inconvenient. And they had to register for a census, then give birth in a barn … not very convenient.
Despite the inconvenience, both Mary and Joseph still followed the Lord. When Gabriel visits Mary and informs her of God’s plans, she responds with, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV). She does not hesitate, for she knows God’s purposes and plans are truly what matter. The story of Luke also includes Mary’s song of praise to God, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Luke 1: 46-49).
Joseph reacts similarly. After having a dream where an angel reveals to him that Mary is truthful in how she became pregnant, “he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24-25).
So, with the importance of finals/deadlines looming over most of you, or maybe the stress of holiday planning, I encourage you to set time aside each day to think of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men- all awaiting Christ’s birth. None of them let the busyness or distractions of the world prevent them from listening to God.
FOCUS author Amber Cybulski wrote a wonderful article on this topic. She outlines how she herself struggled to prioritize the Advent season as finals and later missionary work stole her attention. I encourage you to read her article on celebrating advent while in college: https://focusequip.org/are-you-preparing-for-finals-or-christmas-how-to-live-this-advent-well/
Keeping Advent on Our Minds:
Daily reminder- This weekend, either collect twigs on campus or buy popsicle sticks and make a mini manger/barn. Or, even simpler: print out a picture! I encourage everyone to place this in a spot you will see every day. Whether it’s on your door, by your nightstand, or on your desk. Each time you see it, think of waiting for Christ. Rejoice in the fact God loved us so much He sent us the possibility of redemption. Others knew this as they waited for the birth; we have Christ so let us rejoice!
Purpose of Advent- Remember the idea of waiting. The Jews were eagerly anticipating a savior. Today, we wait for His second coming. As you have your daily reminder, try to put yourselves in the shoes of the Jews over two thousand years ago. We are called to “be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 7-8). Let us joyously await Christ’s return!
The Joy of the Season- Isaiah Ch. 11 depicts the beauty of waiting for Christ. The prophets waited. Job yeared for a mediator: “If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together” (Job 9:33, NLT). Today, we do have that mediator. Our sins are paid, so let us rejoice and share this good news with others.
“Whistle While We-” Pack- Are you packing to go home for the semester? For a vacation? Or the staff retreat… :). While you pack, reflect on what Mary and Joseph may have been thinking as they packed for their trip. As they prepared for the new journey of birthing/raising Christ.
Remember: Christ came at an inconvenient time. Whether we have deadlines, projects, studying, difficult conversations, applications, financial problems, or whatever else, we need to redirect our focus on what actually matters in this world.
So, will Advent be too inconvenient for you?