As I make my mad dash through Advent and into Christmas, I often wonder if there is such a thing as expectant waiting. In higher education, the Advent season always competes with assignments, grading, final exams, concerts, parties, official school functions and family activities. It makes it feel like there is no time to slow down and take in what the message is for peace, hope, love, and joy means for us. I wonder: what might it look like for us in higher education – both faculty and students – to just sit and be in the wonder of the season?
And then I quickly move back to my never-ending to-do list and try to figure out where holiday baking and wrapping gifts and lunch with colleagues will fit in. It is hard to find that pause. And it is counter-cultural.
Amidst the noise of each Advent, I find myself wishing for a John to appear and call us out on such busyness. I want that crazed man who wears camel hair and eats locus to appear on the scene. What if he appeared in the middle of our cafeteria, interrupting our season routines, demanding us to prepare our lives differently?
John reminds us that we must prepare our hearts for a different, new routine, no matter how busy we are. Before we can enjoy the winter break and celebrate the joy of Christmas, we must examine what our lives look like — and challenge them and the world to be better. Just like the ancient prophets, John shows up in the rhythms of life to remind us to prepare to welcome Christ, not just welcome our family and friends into our homes and celebrations.
John, the ever-persistent Advent preacher, calls us to examine our lives and priorities. If we’re to welcome the Christ child, we must be willing to do the hard work of reflection. It must also be one of the tasks on that never-ending holiday to-do list.
I find myself each Advent season being swept into the chaos of December, forgetting the hard work John names. As a follower, my task this season is to do the work of repentance, of turning to God, of reorienting myself and my life to what God created me to do and be. That is the true task of the Advent season. And when we take time for this, we can then prepare the way for the Christ child.
With the time left this Advent season, I will do my best to follow the advice of John. I will reprioritize that to-do list. I will turn from all the chaos of the world and turn towards God, I will re-center myself to prepare for the marvel that is the Christ child. I will do what I can to prepare the way of the Lord. For Christ is coming to us again, and we must be ready for the day when the prince of peace moves into our neighborhood.
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