Advent Devotional 2024

This year’s Advent Devotional was written by Pittsburgh Theological Seminary alumnae/i. A special thanks to our friend of the Seminary Anthony Tuell who voiced this year's recordings.

Advent Resource Kit

In the Waiting Room of Reconciliation: An Advent Reflection

In this Advent reflection, D.Min. student the Rev. Jack Miller reminds us that Jacob, facing fear and guilt over his past deception of Esau, trusts in God’s promise of steadfast love and pleads for protection as he seeks reconciliation. In Advent, we too prepare our hearts for Christ’s arrival, recognizing our own need for deliverance and turning to God for mercy, guidance, and transformative grace.

Read this Advent Reflection.

Christmas Eve Skit

This skit, by the Rev. Dr. Clint Cottrell '00, uses humor to depict the chaos and stress of Christmas preparations, reminding everyone that Christmas is ultimately about celebrating Jesus' birth. It encourages us to focus on worshiping Jesus, sharing God’s love, and recognizing Christmas as a time for gratitude and connection with God and others.

Download the Skit.

Advent Meditations: Peace and Joy

In these Advent meditations on peace and joy, the Rev. Diane Flynn '17 reflects on the peace of Christ and that we should root our joy in God’s grace and share it with others.

Read these Advent meditations.

Big Book of Advent - Year

This compendium of devotionals follows the Daily Lectionary readings for Advent Year 1. In this resource, you will find one or more devotionals and accompanying prayers on each of the passages listed,

Download the Big Book of Advent - Year 1

We also encourage you to use these resources, previously included in our Advent Resource Kits.

Longest Night Worship Resources

In recent years, many churches have chosen to offer a Service of the Longest Night or Blue Christmas service. The idea is to create a space to sit with the less cheerful emotions of the holidays—not to wallow in sadness but to find hope amidst the pain. Use these resources from PTS Director of Continuing Education the Rev. Erik Hoeke to plan your service.

Download Longest Night Worship Resources

THE BRIGHTEST STAR: CHILDREN’S SERMON

The Rev. Jeremy Collins ’14 shares this children’s sermon for use in your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day worship service.

Download Children's Sermon

Renaming the Advent Candles

In this liturgy, the Rev. Jeff Eddings '08 renames the traditional Advent candles of hope, peace, love, and joy to spaciousness, contemplation, commitment, and imagination. Consider using these weekly readings this year as you light the Advent candles in your church.

Download the liturgy

Planning an Advent service of word and song at your church? Check out this bulletin from a service at Pittsburgh Seminary. The PDF provides song suggestions as well as prayers and background info about the Advent season.

Download PDF

You Can't Always Get What You Want! A Study of Micah

Just what kind of savior is Jesus—the kind we want, or the kind we need? In this brief lesson from the prophet Micah, James A. Kelso Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and Old Testament the Rev. Dr. Steven Tuell helps us understand the kind of distance Jesus bridges in order to set us on the right path. Consider incorporating it into your celebration of communion during Advent.

Download Micah study

For even more Advent resources, visit the Seasonal Resources - Advent section of our website.

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