First, Advent is that only season of the year when we kinda-sorta don't have Messiah. These weeks are a time to anticipate what the arrival of Messiah might mean. Pastor Jon preached yesterday about the "second Advent" as the arrival of Messiah in full majesty. Advent is that time for us to look at our lives and at our world and ask, "Where is there a need for Messiah?" How might the world be different? How ought the world to be different? What does the arrival of Messiah mean? In Advent, we learn to ask God to do this amazing thing which God has promised - "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Second, Advent is an opportunity to explore how we might respond to the arrival. Do our lives reflect the arrival of the first advent - the birth in Bethlehem. While we wait for the full culmination of the Kingdom, the world has already been irrevocably altered by the dawning of the light which darkness cannot overcome. This is a call to faithfulness and to discipleship. During Advent we can ask ourselves if we are so fixated on a future visit of Messiah that we have failed to live fully into the new order brought into being by Mary's first-born.
Advent may be the most difficult season for college students. It comes at a time when exams and final projects compete for our time and attention. Remember, you are a student, that is your God-appointed calling. But find a way, make some time to feed your faith and to nurture your response to God. Do not miss the new thing which God is doing and the invitation from God to see your life transformed.
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