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 24, 2019

Scripture

Isaiah 60:1-6

1 Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

Devotional

The Rev. Harold W. Abram ’59

After the prophet has reviewed the tale of national wickedness in his time, he proclaims to the people that their light has arrived and the glory of the Lord has risen upon them. It is as though the prophet were speaking to us today, for we are in similar need.

As a society, we are a people in need of something beyond our selfishness, hate, deceptions, duplicities, and other divisions. We need the glory of the Lord to rise upon us. All the “-isms” we declare need cleansing by the “glory of the Lord.” On our own we are helpless and hopeless before the evil of our time. We need something new to come into our lives—the “born-to-us” child whose name is Emmanuel, “God with us.”

This is the time. The season is ripe for a new way that is older than time itself. God’s glory is for now. It is here. Let us receive it by God’s grace.

Prayer

Oh God, come, be with us in our lives today. Show us, your people, your new way. Imbue us with love, great hope, and peace beyond all comprehension. Hold us up by faith and trust that your promises will be fulfilled throughout Creation. Bring us wholeness, bring peace on earth, and bring goodwill among all humanity we pray. So be it! Amen.

Advent Devotional December 24, 2019

Scripture

Isaiah 60:1-6

1 Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
3 Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

Devotional

The Rev. Harold W. Abram ’59

After the prophet has reviewed the tale of national wickedness in his time, he proclaims to the people that their light has arrived and the glory of the Lord has risen upon them. It is as though the prophet were speaking to us today, for we are in similar need.

As a society, we are a people in need of something beyond our selfishness, hate, deceptions, duplicities, and other divisions. We need the glory of the Lord to rise upon us. All the “-isms” we declare need cleansing by the “glory of the Lord.” On our own we are helpless and hopeless before the evil of our time. We need something new to come into our lives—the “born-to-us” child whose name is Emmanuel, “God with us.”

This is the time. The season is ripe for a new way that is older than time itself. God’s glory is for now. It is here. Let us receive it by God’s grace.

Prayer

Oh God, come, be with us in our lives today. Show us, your people, your new way. Imbue us with love, great hope, and peace beyond all comprehension. Hold us up by faith and trust that your promises will be fulfilled throughout Creation. Bring us wholeness, bring peace on earth, and bring goodwill among all humanity we pray. So be it! 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!