Advent Devotional

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About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!

Advent Devotional December 21, 2020

Scripture

Revelation 21:9-21

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits by human measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.

Devotional

The Rev. Timothy Goodman ’11

Our passage of Scripture provides a stunning glimpse into the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” during this Advent season. There are many Old and New Testament colors—particularly found in Ezekiel—that can be seen in this vision. We are reminded that God’s mission to redeem a people for God’s covenant love and joy, to overcome evil in all its sinister forms, and to save the world has happened with Jesus’ first coming, happens now through his Spirit’s work, and will happen at his final coming.

It is astonishing to allow our whole hearts to consider, feel, and imagine how the Lord, who was laid in a humble manger in what could be a common family’s living room, will one day establish the throne of God on earth as the Lamb. That the One who laid aside his glory by emptying himself of all but love will one day bring the ransomed church into the fullness of God’s glory. The glory of who we are meant to be will be revealed and the groans of our lives and creation will be satisfied. The Word that became flesh will one day completely fulfill God’s covenant word to turn sinners and prodigals into the radiant bride of the Lamb.

What would it take to allow the Holy Spirit to sort out our hearts before the Lord? Is there something that is preventing us from experiencing the comfort of God’s kept promise? How will we invite awe into our lives during this season? 

Prayer

Holy Spirit, awaken our lives to the radiant hope that has found us, claimed us, redeemed us, and keeps us in Jesus. Stir our imaginations to see our lives and world according to God’s mission. Pour your love and truth into our hearts so that we become a reflection and representative of Christ, the Lamb of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Advent Devotional December 21, 2020

Scripture

Revelation 21:9-21

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites; 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width; and he measured the city with his rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, one hundred forty-four cubits by human measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass.

Devotional

The Rev. Timothy Goodman ’11

Our passage of Scripture provides a stunning glimpse into the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” during this Advent season. There are many Old and New Testament colors—particularly found in Ezekiel—that can be seen in this vision. We are reminded that God’s mission to redeem a people for God’s covenant love and joy, to overcome evil in all its sinister forms, and to save the world has happened with Jesus’ first coming, happens now through his Spirit’s work, and will happen at his final coming.

It is astonishing to allow our whole hearts to consider, feel, and imagine how the Lord, who was laid in a humble manger in what could be a common family’s living room, will one day establish the throne of God on earth as the Lamb. That the One who laid aside his glory by emptying himself of all but love will one day bring the ransomed church into the fullness of God’s glory. The glory of who we are meant to be will be revealed and the groans of our lives and creation will be satisfied. The Word that became flesh will one day completely fulfill God’s covenant word to turn sinners and prodigals into the radiant bride of the Lamb.

What would it take to allow the Holy Spirit to sort out our hearts before the Lord? Is there something that is preventing us from experiencing the comfort of God’s kept promise? How will we invite awe into our lives during this season? 

Prayer

Holy Spirit, awaken our lives to the radiant hope that has found us, claimed us, redeemed us, and keeps us in Jesus. Stir our imaginations to see our lives and world according to God’s mission. Pour your love and truth into our hearts so that we become a reflection and representative of Christ, the Lamb of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

About Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is committed to the formation of women and men for theologically reflective ministry and to scholarship in service to the global Church of Jesus Christ.

Become a Student

Certificate Programs

Special Programs

Faculty

In addition to their on-campus duties, our faculty are experts in their fields and are available to preach and teach. Learn more about their topics of research and writing and invite them to present at your congregation or gathering.

Events

The Seminary hosts a wide range of events—many of them free!—on topics of faith including church planting, mission, vocation, spiritual formation, pastoral care and counseling, archaeology, and many more. Visit our calendar often for a listing of upcoming events.

Visit PTS

Interested in the Seminary? Come visit us!

Stay in Touch with PTS

Sign-up to receive the Seminary's newsletters: Seminary News (monthly), Church Planting Initiative (monthly), Continuing Education (monthly), World Mission Initiative (monthly), Metro-Urban Institute (quarterly), and Kelso Museum. Alums, there's also one for you!