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Advent Devotional for Saturday, December 8
Luke 9:1-6
In our Advent text today, Jesus sends out the disciples to go and do miraculous things. The twelve are sent out fully humbled, as Jesus has instructed them to take no possessions with them; he has stripped them of all security. They have no staff for walking or protecting themselves from wild animals, no travel bag with changes of clothes, no bread to eat, and no money to spend. They are without any basic needs, instead they are given the ability to do miraculous things and “proclaim the kingdom of God.”
In our churches and in our own lives, we sometimes get stuck because we don’t think we have what we need to do God’s work in the world. We are constrained by budgets and lack of resources to do this miraculous work of Jesus Christ.
This Advent season, let us ponder what is hindering or blocking us from “proclaiming the kingdom.” We all have human boundaries that protect us from doing crazy things like leaving all necessities of food, shelter, and safety behind. However, in the gift of this miraculous birth of God as a human, we are no longer constrained to earthly means. God has given all of us gifts to do miraculous things in the world.
What is your gift and how is it manifested in miraculous ways? How do you proclaim the kingdom and honor the infant babe, who changed the world forever?
Great Light of the world,
We thank you for your gift of the infant Jesus, the gift that is beyond exceptional.
Grant us the courage, Great God, to proclaim the kingdom, to do good works in your world in faith and not fear.
Thank you for this time of Advent to reflect on the many gifts you have given us and to remember our role in your mission to the world. Allow us to be a part of that mission in bold ways.
We pray this in the name of your son, Emmanuel, God with us. For we know that you are with us through the Holy Spirit and the person of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Kimberly Rogers
Senior MDiv student from Pipe Creek, Texas
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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