Prayer Before Examinations

Lord,
it seems as though our lives
are one test after another,
weighing us in somebody's balance.

Save us from taking the coming tests
too seriously or too lightly,
but grant that we may reflect
the best of the work we've done
and the best of the teaching we've received;
through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen.

--John W. Vannorsdall
from the Day by Day Notre Dame Prayerbook for Students

Advent for a College Student

I'll be the first to admit that it's hard for me as a college student, particularly with finals, to really focus on the season of Advent. While in one sense I'm really preparing on several levels, for Christ and for school to be DONE for the semester, it gets so busy and helter-skelter that it leaves me little room to participate in the mystery of the waiting of Christ, as an infant on Christmas Day and in the apocalyptic sense. That doesn't mean I'm not trying, though! This Advent I'm finally making a small sacrifice, and we have a few small reminders in our room :-D.

This is the Advent wreath on our door. Courtney is incredibly artsy and talented with craft projects, so this is another one of her masterpieces. See the flame taped up?! My roomy is so cool!
And this is our mini tree! My dad got it at a garage sale (still has the tag on it!). It even has some fiber optics on it, so it's practically like having a tree with Christmas lights on it! This thing is only 8 inches tall, so it's pretty cute. It's actually been in here since October because I had nowhere else to put it...oops. Christmas lights aren't allowed in the dorms, so this is about as close as we get!