Advent Devotional

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About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!

Advent Devotional December 9, 2019

Scripture

Psalm 122

1 I was glad when they said to me, 
“Let us go to the house of the LORD!” 
2 Our feet are standing 
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem—built as a city 
that is bound firmly together. 
4 To it the tribes go up, 
the tribes of the LORD, 
as was decreed for Israel, 
to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 
5 For there the thrones for judgment were set up, 
the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 
“May they prosper who love you. 
7 Peace be within your walls, 
and security within your towers.” 
8 For the sake of my relatives and friends 
I will say, “Peace be within you.” 
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, 
I will seek your good.

Devotional

Jane Alexander Carl

Memories of childhood. Opening exercises of Sunday School. Call to worship there or in “big” church. We were reminded by this verse to be “glad” to go to the house of the Lord. Life centered on church activities if we weren’t in school. Someone in our family made it a priority to get us to church.

If such was not the case for you “back then,” hopefully you are reminded now that peace in our hearts often starts in the house of the Lord, where we worship in community and remember that all good things come from the Lord, who seeks our good.

Advent calls us to active remembering as we prepare to enter into the presence of God, who was before us, is now with us, and will be with us forever. May we share that remembrance often with others as we gladly go to the house of the Lord.

Prayer

We come to you, Lord, in anticipation of receiving you in our hearts and lives so that we may do your will, grateful for your loving care now and forever. Amen.

Advent Devotional December 9, 2019

Scripture

Psalm 122

1 I was glad when they said to me, 
“Let us go to the house of the LORD!” 
2 Our feet are standing 
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem—built as a city 
that is bound firmly together. 
4 To it the tribes go up, 
the tribes of the LORD, 
as was decreed for Israel, 
to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 
5 For there the thrones for judgment were set up, 
the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 
“May they prosper who love you. 
7 Peace be within your walls, 
and security within your towers.” 
8 For the sake of my relatives and friends 
I will say, “Peace be within you.” 
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, 
I will seek your good.

Devotional

Jane Alexander Carl

Memories of childhood. Opening exercises of Sunday School. Call to worship there or in “big” church. We were reminded by this verse to be “glad” to go to the house of the Lord. Life centered on church activities if we weren’t in school. Someone in our family made it a priority to get us to church.

If such was not the case for you “back then,” hopefully you are reminded now that peace in our hearts often starts in the house of the Lord, where we worship in community and remember that all good things come from the Lord, who seeks our good.

Advent calls us to active remembering as we prepare to enter into the presence of God, who was before us, is now with us, and will be with us forever. May we share that remembrance often with others as we gladly go to the house of the Lord.

Prayer

We come to you, Lord, in anticipation of receiving you in our hearts and lives so that we may do your will, grateful for your loving care now and forever. Amen.

About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!