From Austin Seminary: "Advent Devotional" for December 17

"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 17

• Luke 1:67-80

The words of Zechariah in Luke 1:67-79—often called the “Benedictus” from the Latin word that begins the speech—are the closing section of Luke’s great preparation for the birth of Jesus. At the beginning of this chapter, Zechariah is struck speechless for not trusting what the angel Gabriel tells him about the birth of a son to him and his aged wife, Elizabeth. And so begins the long nine months of silence, while he watches his wife’s belly swell, and not hers alone, but her young and unwed cousin Mary. At last, Elizabeth delivers John, and the old man’s tongue is set free.

Twenty centuries later, we still feel the spectacle of it all, the wonder and energy and hope that fairly tremble beneath the page. It’s a wonder the old man could have contained it all. His tongue may have been silenced, but surely his feet danced and his hands trembled and his eyes shone with the light of heaven. Perhaps the surprise is that his body could hold it all in, that his rib cage didn’t explode and his heart swell with the mercy his eyes beheld.

“Blessed!” he cries, and sings a hymn of God’s historic goodness to Israel. The truth, though, is all there in the first word. Blessed is the God who loves. Blessed is the one who speaks God’s truth. Blessed is the one who will prepare the way in the wilderness. Blessed is the herald of the dawning kingdom that illumines the darkness and points the path to peace. Blessed is the waiting for it all to come true.

We labor under the misconception that blessing is about getting the things we want and think we deserve. What old Zechariah knew, perhaps because he’d had nine long months to think while he wasn’t trying to talk, is that blessing is a characteristic of God, one that rubs off on God’s people who struggle through the long darkness and wait for the dawning of the light. It’s not about us. It’s about anticipating what God is always just about to do.

May this Advent season bless us with days of anticipation and waiting for God’s love to be fully revealed in the birth of a child. Amen.

The Reverend Dr. Paul Hooker
Associate Dean for Ministerial Formation and Advanced Studies

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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.
   • Historically, more than 80% of our graduates are called to congregational ministry.
   • Our students come from more than a dozen denominations.
   • Our alumni serve in ministry in forty-eight U.S. states as well as in twenty different countries across the world.

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Your support underwrites the finest theological faculty and an administration committed to upholding the highest standards possible with respect to the unique vocation of ministry.

Every gift is significant and is appreciated. They are put to work right away and make a real impact. Please send your gift today.

• CLICK HERE to learn how you can support the mission of Austin Seminary

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