"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 25, Christmas Day
• John 1:1-14
This text plays a trick on us. When we begin reading it, it suggests as a
backdrop an infinity the size of all creation—earth and sky and solar
system and planets and stars. The language is grand, otherworldly:
“The Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things came into
being through him, and without him not one thing came into being ... The
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Think
the opening credits to a Star Wars movie. Think comets and black holes and
the spaciousness of the cosmos. It is the world’s largest show and we are
the spectators.
Then comes the trick: “the Word became flesh and lived among us.” We’re
led by this text to expect something ethereal and otherworldly; and then
suddenly the cosmic becomes intensely personal. A mother, a baby, a
manger, a stall. Like shepherds and kings from afar, we must enter that
scene with our animals and our incense, our hearts and our hands. We
thought at first that we might be distant stargazers, anonymous spectators;
and suddenly, we are persons on stage playing bit parts in the drama of
Christmas. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer once put it: “We must join in the action
that is taking place and be drawn into this reversal of all things ourselves.”
In this reversal, where royals bear gifts and lowly Mary becomes the mother
of God; the world itself gets pulled through a wormhole until the key judge
and redeemer of everything—including us—is a squirming baby. “He
pushes back the high and mighty,” says Bonhoeffer, “he overturns the
thrones of the powerful; he humbles the haughty; his arm exercises power
over all ... he lifts what is lowly, and makes it great and glorious in his mercy.”
On this day and for the rest of time, what is significant about the Word
becoming flesh and dwelling among us is that Almighty God becomes
small enough to cuddle in our arms, and accessible enough to know us
each by name as we step on stage to give him our lives.
With thanksgiving and joy in our hearts, O Lord, help us to welcome the “light of the world” into our lives this Christmas Day. Amen.
The Reverend Dr. Theodore J. Wardlaw
President and Professor of Homiletics
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.
Your gift to Austin Seminary contributes to scholarships, housing, computer equipment, library materials, and other resources needed by seminarians as they fulfill their calls to Christian service and leadership.
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
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.
The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.
