On the 28th and 29th November 2024, we gathered on our Langham Live zoom call to reflect on the upcoming Advent season with our International Director for Langham Scholars, Rev Dr Lina Toth. It was a significant session, as we transition into Advent, a time of anticipation and reflection.
Welcoming Advent with Open Hearts
As we approach this special time, Lina invited us to imagine waiting in various situations: from catching a bus, to standing in a queue. Most of us dislike waiting as it often feels like wasted time. However, Lina encouraged us to reframe our understanding of waiting. We don’t just wait for significant life events; we spend much of our lives in a state of anticipation for moments such as weekends, holidays, or even for love and justice in our world.
The Essence of Advent: Active Waiting
Advent is not merely about waiting for Christmas Day; it’s about preparing our hearts for the return of Christ. Lina explained that it’s essential to engage in “active waiting” during Advent. This means recognising that our lives are intertwined with the hope and promises of God, which requires us to cultivate a persistent, hopeful spirit.
The season of Advent asks us to embrace not only our anticipation for the celebration of Christ’s birth but also the deeper yearning for His second coming. Lina said that many who lived during Jesus’ time felt abandoned by God amidst their struggles. Yet, the birth of a baby boy changed everything, leading to an eventual revelation of His kingdom—a kingdom that was “already here, but not fully”. This duality of waiting—not passive, but with purpose—defines the Christian life.
Lessons from Lina’s Reflections
A vital takeaway from Lina’s reflection is the importance of remaining engaged during periods of waiting. Whether we are awaiting change in our lives or navigating turbulent times in our communities, these experiences shape our relationship with God. This Advent, Lina invites us to embrace waiting as a transformative experience—recognising and nurturing the “shoots of hope” around us. Her prayer is that we become adept at waiting, with patience and an unwavering hope that ultimately leads us closer to God’s promises.
Join Us in Prayer and Fellowship
Langham invites you to join us in prayer for our Langham Scholars who are both anticipating new beginnings in their academic journeys and navigating continued challenges. Advent is a season that calls for unity, prayer, and the hope that flourishes through shared experiences and faith.
Let’s continue to support one another in this Advent season, lifting our hearts in anticipation of what God has in store for us.
Stay tuned for more updates from Langham Partnership. May this Advent be a time of expectation, joy, and growth for us all.
Prayer Requests
Lina asks us to use the following points for prayer:
- Langham Scholars, graduates, and a Langham Scholars team member who lives in the midst of war.
- Those Scholars who are finishing their dissertations this academic year, and are preparing to return to their home countries/start a new season of life and ministry.
- The selection process of Langham Scholarships for the next academic year.
- The upcoming Scholar consultations in early 2025, to take place in Asia, Anglophone Africa, and North America.