From Austin Seminary: "Advent Devotional" for December 13

"Advent ushers us into a season of anticipation, hope, and joy, as we await the day of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Messiah ... We intend this Advent Devotional booklet as a gift of the season for you, to signify our deep appreciation for all that you do for Austin Seminary. And we hope that you will share it with others, so that they may also partake in the blessings of Advent alongside us. Be assured that our hearts are joyful to overflowing as we celebrate together this season that anticipates what my dear friend John Rogers described in the title of his book, “The Birth of God.” May your heart overflow, as well."

G. Archer Frierson

Chair, Austin Seminary Board of Trustees

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Advent Devotional for December 13

• Luke 1:26-38

The story of the annunciation is about an angel’s announcement to Mary that she is favored by God and will conceive and bear the Son of God. Just before the announcement to Mary, an angel also visits Zechariah with a similar announcement about his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth has also found favor with God and will also give birth to a child. Zechariah is doubtful, and the angel silences Zechariah’s ability to speak until Elizabeth bears her child. Together, these announcements present us with the curiosity that the angel visited both Elizabeth and Mary, i.e. both the aged and the young, the barren and fertile, the married and unmarried, the sexually experienced and virgin, and in so doing, endowed even places of diminished social value with favor and bounty.

Of significance for us is the “non-technical” nature of these regenerative encounters between divinity and humanity. The term “technical” comes from the late ecologist and philosopher Garrett Hardin’s 1968 essay “The Tragedy of the Commons.” Hardin, focusing on the problem of human overpopulation, defines a “technical” solution as “one that requires a change only in the techniques of the natural sciences, demanding little or nothing in the way of change in human values or ideas of morality.” Hardin’s point was that we must begin, as a society, to look for solutions that are less about mastery and more about morality.

We see the same theme present in the stories of these announcements. The angel of God discloses the limits of Elizabeth’s and Mary’s technical strategies, and asserts instead that the future is God’s future. In this advent season, may the limits of our values of efficiency and productivity be disclosed by the activity of angels. And by such actions, may it be that we learn to recognize God’s favor, worth, and purpose in places of diminished social value. And, by chance, if our tongues are held silent by doubt like Zechariah, may God grant faith for utterance.

May the angels open our eyes and ears and quiet our mouths this Advent season, as we behold the unfolding of God’s redeeming love. Amen.

Dr. Asante Todd
Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics

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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.

We hope that you are preparing the way for the Lord in your life as you read these meditations and prayers. And, we hope this Advent season is a meaningful one for you. Please know that Austin Seminary’s dedicated, diverse, and loving community of faith is not complete without you. Did you know?

   • Students in our masters-degree programs receive up to 85% need-based tuition aid.
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