Post 2025 Advent Devotion: Day 9 Tuesday, December 9 Isaiah 41:14-20; Romans 15:14-21 The flight from Korea to Prague was the “straw that broke my back.” We didn’t know my husband tore his meniscus on the way; he was in so much pain during that flight. At the same time, my son’s fever spiked with severe headaches. On my left, I […] Gardner-Webb University | December 9, 2025
Post 2025 Advent Devotion: Day 8 Monday, December 8 Psalm 21; Isaiah 24:1-16a; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 This year, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary—a remarkable milestone in any couple’s life. In today’s world, it is rare to see two people reach such a mark, and I know my parents are deeply grateful for the many years they have shared, walking […] Gardner-Webb University | December 8, 2025
Post 2025 Advent Devotion: Day 7 Sunday, December 7 Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12 Isaiah, Romans, and Matthew prepare us wonderfully for Christmas 2025, even though they do so in rather different ways. Of course, for many Americans (at least those today who are historically minded), we cannot forget how ill-prepared we were for what happened on this day, December […] Gardner-Webb University | December 7, 2025
Post 2025 Advent Devotion: Day 6 Saturday, December 6 Isaiah 40:1-11; John 1:19-28 Isaiah and John the Baptist heralded the coming Messiah roughly 700 years apart. Isaiah prophesied a voice crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” That voice was John the Baptist, filled with the Holy Spirit […] Gardner-Webb University | December 6, 2025
Post 2025 Advent Devotion: Day 5 Friday, December 5 Isaiah 30:19-26; Acts 13:16-25 Seminarians have always been encouraged to have a “sermon in their pocket,” one ready to go as the occasion arises. Folk in some churches might ask for a sermon even on a day one anticipated a visit only! Being ready with something to say, then, is, wise. One […] Gardner-Webb University | December 5, 2025
Post 2025 Advent Devotion: Day 4 Thursday, December 4 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 4:2-6; Acts 1:12-17, 21-26 Positions of leadership come with great responsibility. Whether it is leading an entire nation or heading up one’s local PTO chapter, these roles are important and meaningful. Without leaders, we would probably live amongst constant chaos and turmoil. I attempted to look up a […] Gardner-Webb University | December 4, 2025
Post 2025 Advent Devotion: Day 3 Wednesday, December 3 Isaiah 54:1-10; Matthew 24:23-35 Advent invites us to anticipate the “advent” of God in a threefold sense. We’re invited to enter through biblical memory into the people of God’s anticipation of the coming of God into a broken world to fulfill God’s community-making intentions for the world and the people of God […] Gardner-Webb University | December 3, 2025
Post 2025 Advent Devotion: Day 2 Tuesday, December 2 Genesis 9:1-17; Hebrews 11:32-40 “Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him”(Psalm 34:8, The Message). Dear friend, have you tasted God’s goodness lately? When was the last time you savored His grace? How do we get to experience God […] Gardner-Webb University | December 2, 2025
Post 2025 Advent Devotion: Day 1 Monday, December 1 Psalm 124; Genesis 8:1-19; Romans 6: 1-11 If you talk to most people, they will agree that the season of Advent always feels different than ordinary time. The excitement in the air is almost electric at times. The family, the friends, the breaking of bread and giving of gifts are traditions that […] Gardner-Webb University | December 1, 2025
Post Advent 2025 These days I intentionally shield myself from most news. Every morning, I receive a couple emails with “highlights” of the previous days’ happenings. I will admit to a couple things: first, I recognize that shielding myself from news is not the best coping strategy. Second, with all the bad news that is out there (hence […] Gardner-Webb University | November 30, 2025
