Advent Devotional

Find Your Program Apply Online Visit Campus Request Info

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 25, 2018

Scripture

Psalm 96

1 O sing to the LORD a new song;
        sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
        tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
        his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
        he is to be revered above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
        but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him;
        strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
        ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
        bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
        tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The LORD is king!
        The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
        He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
        let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12     let the field exult, and everything in it.
   Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13     before the LORD; for he is coming,
        for he is coming to judge the earth.
   He will judge the world with righteousness,
        and the peoples with his truth.

Devotional

The Rev. Kimberly Gonxhe ’07, Director, Metro-Urban Institute

Our God reigns!!! On this day we celebrate the divine one who became flesh out of sheer love, even for a fallen humanity. On the day of Christ’s human birth, hope arrived. Hope. It rings in our hearts. Hope. For this fragile baby would go on to change the course of history forever. The world would be “firmly established” and the peoples would be judged “with equity.” Through Christ all people would become valued and the marginalized would be seen through the lens of dignity. The first would become last and the last first. The design of God’s reign in heaven would be the blueprint for earth. Through Christ’s birth we all have hope. So take courage on this day from knowing that God loves justice and God loves you. No situation is too dark for the light of God’s love to enter. No circumstance is too far gone for the hand of God to permeate. Come behold the one who is our Savior! Come experience the love of God! Come embrace hope!

Prayer

Lord, we pause to remember that you are God: mighty, holy, supreme, and just. Thank you for always taking care of us. Thank you for being concerned with what concerns us. Thank you for loving us. Help us on this day and always to be ever grateful for all that we have. Help us to follow your example to leverage our privilege in behalf of those without it. Help us to recognize the disparities in this world and be agents of change for your glory. Amen.

Advent Devotional December 25, 2018

Scripture

Psalm 96

1 O sing to the LORD a new song;
        sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
        tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
        his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
        he is to be revered above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
        but the LORD made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him;
        strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
        ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
        bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
        tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The LORD is king!
        The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
        He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
        let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12     let the field exult, and everything in it.
   Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13     before the LORD; for he is coming,
        for he is coming to judge the earth.
   He will judge the world with righteousness,
        and the peoples with his truth.

Devotional

The Rev. Kimberly Gonxhe ’07, Director, Metro-Urban Institute

Our God reigns!!! On this day we celebrate the divine one who became flesh out of sheer love, even for a fallen humanity. On the day of Christ’s human birth, hope arrived. Hope. It rings in our hearts. Hope. For this fragile baby would go on to change the course of history forever. The world would be “firmly established” and the peoples would be judged “with equity.” Through Christ all people would become valued and the marginalized would be seen through the lens of dignity. The first would become last and the last first. The design of God’s reign in heaven would be the blueprint for earth. Through Christ’s birth we all have hope. So take courage on this day from knowing that God loves justice and God loves you. No situation is too dark for the light of God’s love to enter. No circumstance is too far gone for the hand of God to permeate. Come behold the one who is our Savior! Come experience the love of God! Come embrace hope!

Prayer

Lord, we pause to remember that you are God: mighty, holy, supreme, and just. Thank you for always taking care of us. Thank you for being concerned with what concerns us. Thank you for loving us. Help us on this day and always to be ever grateful for all that we have. Help us to follow your example to leverage our privilege in behalf of those without it. Help us to recognize the disparities in this world and be agents of change for your glory. 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!