From Austin Seminary: "Advent Devotional" for December 24, Christmas Eve

"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

Austin Seminary Board of Trustees

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Advent Devotional for December 24, Christmas Eve

• Luke 2:1-20

The second half of this narrative typically gets the most attention on Christmas Eve: shepherds in the fields; a chorus of angels proclaiming good news; a pastoral scene of the holy family; Mary pondering everything in her heart. The first half, by comparison, seems uneventful and preoccupied with minor historical details and characters, such as Augustus and Quirinius. The first half seems a mere preamble. But is it? The details it presents are significant: the birth of Jesus occurs amid royal decrees that place countless people on the move. The emperor’s census means that Joseph and Mary must leave their home and journey elsewhere. The story of Jesus, in other words, begins with migration.

If we celebrate on this day a newborn King, we need to remember that his birth was not akin to royalty, but more like births that happen during the arduous journeys of immigration that unfold all over the world. Estimates of people forced to migrate now number over 65 million, a staggering sum. Mary makes her forced journey while pregnant and has to give birth in a stable because there is no room anywhere else. Jesus birth, which heralds a reign of peace, is met from the beginning with power that has consequences for the powerless. This child, like countless others throughout history, begins life as an immigrant searching for a safe place to live.

But God is with this child, not only in protecting him and his family, but in showing the world that true power is revealed not in decrees that invariably benefit some at the expense of many. Instead, the power of God is the power of radical hospitality, which makes room for a birth when there is no room in the inn; which welcomes an immigrant family when rulers would rather send them “back where they came from;” which shows us the true character of kingship in humility. Augustus and Quirinius never appear again in the story; but the immigrant child grows in wisdom and stature, bringing hope and peace to a broken world.

Dr. David H. Jensen
Academic Dean, and Professor in the Clarence N. and Betty B. Frierson Distinguished Chair of Reformed Theology

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

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