Post Advent Devotion: Day 14 Saturday, December 10 1 Samuel 2:1-8; Luke 3:1-18 Advent is a season for a rich and full reflection on the ways of God, for it culminates with his entrance as a human person into this cosmos. The story of John the Baptist, the one whose prophetic voice announced the coming of the Messiah, is intriguing. […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 13 Friday, December 9 Ruth 4:13-17; 2 Peter 3:11-18 “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day . . . He shall be to you a restorer of life” (Ruth 4:14-15 NRSV). The soft rain was suddenly disrupted by a boom of thunder. The rain grew steadier and louder. My patio umbrella swayed in […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 12 Thursday, December 8 Psalm 146:5-10; Ruth 1:6-18; 2 Peter 3:1-10 Hope My husband and I will celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary in June of 2023. I still remember the day we were married like it was yesterday. It was a very hot summer day. We had friends and family in town from all over the United […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 11 Wednesday, December 7 Genesis 15:1-18; Matthew 12:33-37 This episode in Abram’s journey begins, “After these things.” What were “these things”? If we look back at the story leading up to Genesis 15, the things that this part of the story comes after include considerable family drama that gets caught up in geopolitical affairs of the […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 10 Tuesday, December 6 Isaiah 41:14-20; Romans 15:14-21 I love the Advent season, and as a children’s minister, I start preparing for Advent as early as August, thinking about what we’ll do for our Advent breakfast or when to order the children’s Christmas tree for the sanctuary. We’ll sing Christmas carols, decorate the church, and get […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 9 Monday, December 5 Psalm 21; Isaiah 24:1-6a; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 In 1997, I started a new job in a new state—Florida. I was to visit schools to deliver educational materials and visit faculty members. The 26 assigned schools were all within one county, but I had no concept or familiarity with the area, which made […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 8 Sunday, December 4 Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 Many of our societal norms were disrupted by the pandemic. One disruption that has persisted is “contactless waiting” for medical appointments. Prior to March 2020, patients were expected to go inside the healthcare provider’s front entrance, speak to a receptionist, and then sit in a waiting […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 7 Saturday, December 3 Isaiah 40:1-11; John 1:19-28 How frequently do we use the expression “God bless you”? No doubt that it has a powerful implication. What a blessing it is when everything in our life goes well. It’s another thing when trials, frustrations, burdens, and disappointments come our way. The history of Israel, in previous […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 6 Friday, December 2 Isaiah 30: 19-26; Acts 13:16-25 Thanksgiving Day in America signifies the beginning of the holiday season. As we enjoy the celebration of dinner and fellowship, our conversations progress to discussions about Christmas Day, the anticipation of the gifts, and the joy the day brings. Many of us will explore the newspaper and surf […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 5 Thursday, December 1 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 4:2-6; Acts 1:12-17, 21-26 What an excitement that rushes through us when we begin a new role in life, be it a new job, making a new friend, becoming a mother, grandfather, or sister. When we are given the new title and the new job description is placed […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
