by Jeff Thiele on Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Study, study, study… that’s all we seem to be doing these
days, all culminating with the final: the ominous task of taking a twelve page
exam, of finishing a paper that is 150 pages long, of interviewing in front of
the biggest hounds of the industry.
Whatever it may be, we all have some big “end” point in the semester.
However much this may seem like the end (especially if we
don’t do well… yikes!) there truly isn’t an end in sight. This rings true not only with exams
(the material to learn never ends!) but especially with the Christmas season.
“I just want to make it to Christmas.” – anonymous concerned
student
The unfortunate fact is that the Christmas season is always
muddled with this minor obstruction called “finals week.” We’re pushing through
exams and up to Christmas, but what next?
It seems like Christmas is this ending that we need, at which we wish to
arrive. But Christmas Day is truly
a beginning; Jesus was born; He only started the good he would eventually end
up doing for this world. On this
day we give gifts to others, we receive gifts to others, everyone is
happy. So what if we took this day
and treated it as not the end but as the beginning? Give to others every day, whether it be a smile or a
hand. Be happy every day – share
the Christmas spirit with others even after Christmas. And as far as exams? Look at all you’ve learned! Continue
to use your studies and expand upon your knowledge. Look forward to the beginning of something wonderful!
Pray about what you might be able to offer others even after
Christmas Day, and what wonderful gift God has in store for you.
-Jeff Thiele is a sophomore engineering student at the University of Michigan.
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