Post Advent Devotion: Day 22 Sunday, December 18 Isaiah 7:10-16; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25 Signs are interesting! They are a clear and direct way of communicating. We are taught their meaning from an early age. When my children were young, they could spot the sign for Chick-fil-A from miles away. They knew that sign meant yummy chicken with an ice cream […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 21 Saturday, December 17 2 Samuel 7:23-29; John 4:31-26 Legacy is a noble word, but it could be flattering at times. When the prophet Nathan delivered the good news of “blessing” to David and posterity, the king was overwhelmed. David understood the tremendous weight of responsibility and accountability that comes with his legacy. He was, after all, […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 20 Friday, December 16 2 Samuel 7:18-22; Galatians 4:1-7 As a child, Christmas was my favorite holiday. It was always exciting to help my dad put up the outdoor Christmas lights, decorate the Christmas tree with my little sister, help my mom put out the Christmas village, and bake Christmas cookies with my aunt. I loved singing […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 19 Thursday, December 15 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 2 Samuel 7:1-17; Galatians 3:23-29 In the most general of terms, promises hold human society together. For example, we collectively promise not to harm one another, or steal, etc. The breach of this social agreement is the foundation of discord and violence. Promises tend to encourage and entice us towards […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 18 Wednesday, December 14 Zechariah 8:1-17; Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34 In today’s Gospel text, Matthew recounts for us a day in the life of the earthly Jesus, a day full of healings, exorcisms, and wonders. Peter hosts his teacher for the evening in his own home. Almost hidden away in the shadow of miraculous events and powerful […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 17 Tuesday, December 13 Ezekiel 47:1-12; Jude 1:17-25 “Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.” These words by the hymn writer Charles Wesley often ring in our ears and leap from our lips during the first few Sundays of […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 16 Monday, December 12 Psalm 42; Isaiah 29:17-24; Acts 5:12-16 Why is waiting so hard? Is it the anticipation that something will happen, or is it the doubt that anything will happen at all? Anyone who exercises knows that holding a plank will test your patience and endurance. A one-minute plank can feel like it lasts for […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
Post Advent Devotion: Day 15 Sunday, December 11 Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 One of my favorite hymns to sing during Advent has always been “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Its solemn, almost mournful—yet joyful—tune seems to me to capture the spirit of the season perfectly. The first stanza acknowledges that things are not going so well […] Gardner-Webb University | November 26, 2022
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
