Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Goshen College
  • Give
  • Get Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Majors & Minors
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Global Education
    • Goshen Core
    • Environmental Programs
    • Adult & Continuing Studies
    • Nursing (RN to BSN)
    • Business Management
    • Communication
    • Social Work
    • Transition to Interpreting
    • Transition to Teaching
    • English Learners License
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Graduate Programs
    • Business Administration (MBA)
    • Environmental Education (MA)
    • Nursing (MS, FNP Track)
    • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Online Programs
    • Nursing (RN to BSN)
    • Business Management (BS)
    • Business Administration (MBA)
    • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • English Learners License
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Costs & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Net Price Calculator
    • International Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Admitted Students
    • Committed Students
    • Adult & Continuing Studies
    • Financial Aid
    • Graduate Programs
    • Financial Aid
    • Student Life
    • Housing
    • Clubs & Activities
    • Spiritual Life
    • Bookstore
    • Dining Services
    • Diversity on Campus
    • Health & Safety
    • About GC
    • Quick Facts
    • Offices
    • Outcomes
    • Employment
    • Who We Are
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Our Faith Identity
    • Leadership & Governance
    • Sustainability
    • Institutes
    • Where We Are
    • Map & Directions
    • City of Goshen
    • Virtual Tour
    • Alumni
    • Alumni Directory
    • Transcripts
    • The Bulletin
    • Homecoming Weekend
    • Contact Us
    • Parents
    • Parents of Prospective Students
    • Parents of Current Students
    • Current Students
    • Moodle
    • Registrar's Office
    • Library
    • Job Bank
    • Accounting Office
    • Pay Bill
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Offices
    • Human Resources
    • Department Forms
    • Quick Links
    • MyGC
    • GC Online
    • Event Calendar
    • Bookstore
    • News & Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Latest News
    • GC in the News
    • Social Media Directory
    • Alumni Magazine: The Bulletin
    • Photo Albums
    • Current Blogs
    • President's
    • Ecuador SST
    • Indonesia SST
    • Navajo & Hopi Nations SST
    • Senegal SST
    • Tanzania SST
    • Quick Links
    • Box Office
    • Music Center
    • E-Subscribe
    • Live Streams
    • Men's
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Tennis
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Women's
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Tennis
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Quick Links
    • GoLeafs.net
    • Live Stream
    • Online Store
    • Rec-Fitness Center
    • Intramurals
  • Map & Directions
  • Bookstore
  • Employment
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • linkedin
Goshen College
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Majors & Minors
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Global Education
    • Goshen Core
    • Environmental Programs
    • Adult & Continuing Studies
    • Nursing (RN to BSN)
    • Business Management
    • Communication
    • Social Work
    • Transition to Interpreting
    • Transition to Teaching
    • English Learners License
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Graduate Programs
    • Business Administration (MBA)
    • Environmental Education (MA)
    • Nursing (MS, FNP Track)
    • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • Academic Catalog & Courses
    • Online Programs
    • Nursing (RN to BSN)
    • Business Management (BS)
    • Business Administration (MBA)
    • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    • English Learners License
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Costs & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Net Price Calculator
    • International Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Admitted Students
    • Committed Students
    • Adult & Continuing Studies
    • Financial Aid
    • Graduate Programs
    • Financial Aid
  • Student Life
    • Student Life
    • Housing
    • Clubs & Activities
    • Spiritual Life
    • Bookstore
    • Dining Services
    • Diversity on Campus
    • Health & Safety
  • About
    • About GC
    • Quick Facts
    • Offices
    • Outcomes
    • Employment
    • Who We Are
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Our Faith Identity
    • Leadership & Governance
    • Sustainability
    • Institutes
    • Where We Are
    • Map & Directions
    • City of Goshen
    • Virtual Tour
  • Give
  • Get Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
    • Alumni
    • Alumni Directory
    • Transcripts
    • The Bulletin
    • Homecoming Weekend
    • Contact Us
    • Parents
    • Parents of Prospective Students
    • Parents of Current Students
    • Current Students
    • Moodle
    • Registrar's Office
    • Library
    • Job Bank
    • Accounting Office
    • Pay Bill
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Offices
    • Human Resources
    • Department Forms
    • Quick Links
    • MyGC
    • GC Online
    • Event Calendar
    • Bookstore
    • News & Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Latest News
    • GC in the News
    • Social Media Directory
    • Alumni Magazine: The Bulletin
    • Photo Albums
    • Current Blogs
    • President's
    • Ecuador SST
    • Indonesia SST
    • Navajo & Hopi Nations SST
    • Senegal SST
    • Tanzania SST
    • Quick Links
    • Box Office
    • Music Center
    • E-Subscribe
    • Live Streams
    • Men's
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Tennis
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Women's
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Tennis
    • Track and Field
    • Volleyball
    • Quick Links
    • GoLeafs.net
    • Live Stream
    • Online Store
    • Rec-Fitness Center
    • Intramurals
GC › Devotions Home
Advent & Lenten Devotions  —  2013 Advent  —  Life comes

Life comes

December 18, 2013 Leave a Comment

Share Tweet Email

By Kathryn Schmidt, assistant professor of music

Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)

DEVOTIONAL:

Life comes.

Last fall, I found myself alone in a parking lot near my car, clutching my swollen belly (beautiful belly!) and bawling. Hiccups. Groans. A sad end to a lovely pre-natal appointment.

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel… Stir up your might and come to save us!”

We didn’t have enough money. The life-joy within me—now, a source of betrayal. “O God! Why did you bring us here, where babies cost money to be born? Money we do not have?!”

“You make us the scorn of our neighbors…”

Like the vine (v. 8), we had been transplanted and were trying to set down roots. But there were so many obstacles to overcome.

“You have fed them with the bread of tears. You have made them drink tears by the bowlful.”

But with God all things are possible! There has to be enough! This child, this fluttering of wondrous life will come whether there is money or not. Because life comes. Life came to Mary that cold evening with the bleating of goats, the stamping of hooves. No money. (No room in the inn.) But life! Sweet, bloody life bursting forth in a gush of warmth.

“Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”

Our baby came, and there was enough. As for Mary, in a heave of abandon and with a bowlful of tears, she brought us Life.

Life comes.

Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth

2before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!

3Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

4O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

5You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.

6You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.

7Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

17But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.

18Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.

19Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.


Filed Under: 2013 Advent, Advent Devotions

Share Tweet Email
« O, Ahaz!
Grace to you and peace! »
  • Devotions Home

Devotion Archives

  • 2022 Lent
  • 2021 Advent
  • 2021 Lent
  • 2020 Advent
  • 2020 Lent
  • 2019 Advent
  • 2019 Lent
  • 2018 Advent
  • 2018 Lent
  • 2017 Advent
  • 2017 Lent
  • 2016 Advent
  • 2016 Lent
  • 2015 Advent
  • 2015 Lent
  • 2014 Advent
  • 2014 Lent
  • 2013 Advent
  • 2013 Lent
  • 2012 Advent
  • 2012 Lent
  • 2011 Advent
  • 2011 Lent
  • 2010 Advent
  • 2010 Lent
  • 2009 Advent
  • 2009 Lent

Recent Comments

  • Devotions editors on God Sees the Secret Servant
  • Adela Hufford on A Treasure in the Midst of Sorrow
  • Wayne on God Sees the Secret Servant
  • Angela Maggard on God Sees the Secret Servant
  • H. Horton on God Sees the Secret Servant
Goshen College

At Goshen, our integrated approach and best-in-class programs educate the head and heart, creating globally-minded graduates who lead with courage and compassion.

  • Map & Directions
  • Bookstore
  • Employment
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • linkedin
1700 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526
  • Privacy Policy
  • Login
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Website Feedback Form