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Advent Devotional for Tuesday, November 29
Micah 4: 6-13
As an undergraduate in 1990, one of my favorite songs expressed the hope felt by many at the fall of the Berlin Wall. The song, “Right Here, Right Now,” by Jesus Jones repeats the chorus, “Right here, right now, there is no other place I want to be. Right here, right now, watching the world wake up from history.” Being elated at the collapse of oppressive governments, I thought that healing, restoration, and peace found in justice could finally take root and become fruitful.
And here we are more than twenty years later still seeing oppressive governments collapse, and still hoping for healing, restoration and peace found in justice. All the while, still reeling from the aftereffects of 9/11, economic recession, the Texas drought and wildfires. Micah’s words capture unfilled hope and the desire for justice and peace.
Yet, Micah also reminds us that hope has to carry us on as we struggle to wait for restoration. In spite of our anguish, as we groan and squirm, Micah invites us to arise and tread on. For a baby is to be born and new life will come; the living Christ found in the midst of us. The living Christ found in serving, loving, and forgiving our neighbor. So as we wake up from history, we move forward in the hope expressed through Jesus’ birth, and in knowing that God gathers us, rescues us, restores us, and moves us closer and closer toward God’s ultimate design.
God of compassion and strength, we know that you’re always our counselor and our guide. Help us see the living Christ as we wait; help us acknowledge the promise of your restoration and the salvation that comes in spite of suffering. God help us open our eyes to understanding the relationship between justice and peace. Amen.
Laurel Dixon
MDiv '11
For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.
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