Advent 2024

As I write this, the 2024 presidential election campaigns are in full swing. The first debate between the two candidates was two days ago. According to the countdown clock at www.270towin.com, there are now 53 days until the election. One side says, “Make America Great Again,” and the other says, “Together, we will fight for the promise of America’s future.” Both sides are trying to convince the American people that their candidate is the more capable one to lead our country into a better and more prosperous future.

Not much has changed in two thousand years. The author of Luke tells us that Jesus was born during the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus. Augustus in later inscriptions and memorials was called a “savior,” and his birthday was celebrated as the “beginning of the good tidings for the world,” “good tidings” being a translation of the Greek word from which we get the English word “gospel.”

Although quite different from modern politics in the U.S., Jesus was born into an existing political system. During his life, many thought he might be the political savior of the people of Israel. John the Baptist had some of his disciples ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” implying that Jesus just might be the one to overthrow the Romans. Even some of Jesus’s own followers, after his death and resurrection, seemed to wonder the same thing; they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Our political leaders, while they are important and wield a great deal of influence, are not saviors. Their significance and influence pale in comparison to that of the true Savior whose birthday we celebrate as true good tidings this Advent season. The news of Jesus’ birth was and continues to be “good news [gospel] of great joy for all the people.” God didn’t send his son Jesus to earth just to make Israel great again; Jesus came to save and restore Israel and all of creation. During Advent we look back and are thankful for the salvation that is in Christ and look forward to his eventual return to establish the Kingdom of God once and for all.

I pray that the following devotions will add meaning to your celebration of Advent. I wish to thank all those who contributed devotions this year. I am especially grateful for Dr. Cal Robertson and Lisa Hollifield, without whom the production of this devotional would not be possible. Lastly, at this time of year we take time to fondly remember and miss our friend and colleague Dr. Dan Goodman, the original advocate for this project.

Jim McConnell, Associate Dean
Professor of New Testament Interpretation