Advent online devotions celebrate ‘God’s unstoppable purpose’;

Reflections from Goshen College begin Nov. 21 at www.goshen.edu/devotions

GOSHEN, Ind. – As churches and individual Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, Goshen College is again offering an online spiritual resource to help believers make time and space in their hearts and minds to welcome Advent.

Beginning Nov. 21 and culminating Dec. 23, Goshen College students, faculty and staff will provide weekday reflections based on week’s upcoming lectionary Scripture passages, available online or by daily e-mail. Organizers said the devotions are contemporary reflections on the Scriptures, offering assurances of faith during a time of uncertainty and fear across the nation and the world. Many writers will reflect on the Advent theme: “God’s Unstoppable Purpose.”

Organizers intend the devotions to provide a moment of pause and peace, sharing the thoughts of individual believers to enhance the personal reflections of readers. The short reflections could be used as a centering tool at the start of a day or a way to wind down in the evening. Either way, the writings and Scripture passages can help Christians concentrate specifically on the meaning and mystery of the Advent season.

The devotions have 1,500 online subscribers, representing many different denominational backgrounds and countries. One subscriber said, “I have also used them in preparing services for the Sundays of Advent. Thanks for the help!” Another said, “Thank you so much for the pertinent Advent devotionals. I read them each morning when I came into the office. It puts the work I do and world events in perspective for me.”

Goshen College annually celebrates special seasons of the church calendar, Advent and Lent, with online devotions. To access the devotions or sign up to receive them in your inbox, go to: www.goshen.edu/devotions.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

###

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu/.