"A gift from our community of faith to you. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is devoted to preparing outstanding leaders for Christ’s church. One of the ways we nurture leaders is by building a loving community of faith and extending God’s grace to others. In this season of anticipation, we extend God’s grace to you and invite you to explore this book of Advent devotions. Through this collection, please join us as we prepare to receive God’s greatest gift—the birth of Jesus Christ."
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Advent Devotional for December 21
• Psalm 126:1-6
When God answers prayers, it feels natural to offer up praise in response. When there is no answer, but instead an undesirable situation stays the same or even worsens, it is increasingly difficult to keep on praying with great hope. Think of the people of Puerto Rico. Hurricane Irma seemed to spare the impoverished country, but Hurricane Maria showed up mere weeks later and devastated the area. “Irma gave us a break, but Maria destroyed us,” said Edwin Serrano, a construction worker in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. That is similar to what is happening in this psalm of ascent.
irst, the freed people of Jerusalem are celebrating their release from decades of captivity in what is believed to be Babylon. Then, the exultation is dulled by the final lines, which are begging for more of the same restoration to be delivered to those still held captive.
It’s as if someone told you most of your drowning family members can get on the rescue boat, but not all of them. So, the pleading continues. Puerto Rico may have been spared by one hurricane this season, but another one ravaged the country. With this psalm, we are reminded it is good to be grateful for the mercy that has been received, all the while yearning for and believing in the grace and depth of saving that will hopefully come to be.
Dear Lord, Please help us to remember to praise You in our many and varied storms of this life. May our prayers of hope strengthen our relationship with You and also help steady and ground us for the storms that are, will be, and those that will eventually pass. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Paige Alam
Student from Austin, 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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