Advent Devotional 2025

Daily Devotional

Read and/or listen to daily meditations written by members of the Seminary community.

With thanks to Anthony Tuell for reading this year's devotionals.

Download PDF to print and share.

Advent Resource Kit 2025

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The Rev. Dr. Murray Joseph Thompson ’76 reflects on Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, reminding us that faith—more than preparation or resources—sustains our own journeys toward the promise of Emmanuel, God with us.

Read this Advent Reflection.

Advent Liturgy

In this Advent Liturgy, the Rev. Dr. Ted Martin ’12 offers a meaningful guide for worship, renaming the traditional candles to highlight the human stories within the Nativity. Through Scripture, prayer, and song, this resource invites congregations to journey toward the manger with renewed awareness of God’s mercy, joy, and steadfast love.

Download this Advent Liturgy.

Before the Birth

In “Before the Birth,” the Rev. Dr. Porsha Williams Gates ’24 reflects on the genealogy of Jesus as a sacred act of remembering. She shows how the lineage in Matthew’s Gospel—rich with names, stories, and unexpected women—reveals a God who works through generations and invites us, too, to remember the holy that has already been as we await Christ’s coming.

Read Before the Birth.

Light of the World, Rise Again in Us

Dr. Joanne Spence ’18/’24’s “Light of the World, Rise Again in Us” centers the heart of Advent in a quiet plea for renewal—inviting Christ’s light to shine gently within us as we wait in hope.

Access this Advent poem.

We also encourage you to use these resources, previously included in our Advent Resource Kits.

Christmas Eve Skit

This skit, by the Rev. Dr. Clint Cottrell '00, uses humor to depict the chaos and stress of Christmas preparations, reminding everyone that Christmas is ultimately about celebrating Jesus' birth. It encourages us to focus on worshiping Jesus, sharing God’s love, and recognizing Christmas as a time for gratitude and connection with God and others.

Download the Skit.

Longest Night Worship Resources

In recent years, many churches have chosen to offer a Service of the Longest Night or Blue Christmas service. The idea is to create a space to sit with the less cheerful emotions of the holidays—not to wallow in sadness but to find hope amidst the pain. Use these resources from PTS Director of Continuing Education the Rev. Erik Hoeke to plan your service.

Download Longest Night Worship Resources

THE BRIGHTEST STAR: CHILDREN’S SERMON

The Rev. Jeremy Collins ’14 shares this children’s sermon for use in your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day worship service.

Download Children's Sermon

Advent Hymn

The Rev. Dr. Graham D. S. Deans '06 has written a new Advent hymn to the tune of Menuet Gothique. Use this as a congregational hymn, sung by your church choir, or even special music.

Download the lyrics

Download the sheet music

Advent Wreath: Origin and Uses

Explore the history and tradition of using Advent wreaths in personal and corporate worship. Read aloud the weekly devotions and prayers written by members of the Pittsburgh Seminary community.

Download the Advent wreath guide

Twelve Questions of Advent Quiz

Take this Advent Quiz with your family around the dinner table, give it to your high school or adult Sunday school class, discuss it in your Bible Study group, or test your knowledge on your own and perhaps learn something new about this special time of the year.

Download PDF Quiz

Download PDF Quiz and Answers

Hanging of the Greens (Child-friendly)

Consider these child-friendly activities to involve the kids in your church in various hanging of the greens festivities.

Download these ideas

For even more Advent resources, visit the Seasonal Resources - Advent section of our website.

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