Christmas Eve
Psalm 61, 62, 112, 115 • Isaiah 11:1–9 • John 5:30–47
In these verses, the prophet Isaiah predicts the coming of the Messiah and describes what he will be like and what will come from his ministry. The Messiah will judge with righteousness, give judgment for the poor, and slay the wicked. The Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and power, will “rest on him.” And the result of this ministry will be peace and harmony among all creatures. The “wolf will live with the lamb … and a little child will lead them.”
Perhaps some of the peace and harmony predicted here are in the kingdom yet to come. But for me, the most critical portion of these verses is the power of the Holy Spirit as it exists in God’s work today. In faith, we are called to “breathe in” the Spirit and to “live out” the wisdom and understanding that flow from it. And in faith, we hold that the power of the Spirit can lead all of creation to the peace that is beyond our capacity to reason.
The little child will be born again in our hearts this Christmas. And may the Spirit he left with us blossom into the wise recognition of our common humanity and brotherhood.
Lord, may the “little child” be born again in our hearts this Christmas, and may your Spirit awaken in us the wisdom and power to live together in peace and brotherhood.
Robert C. “Clarke,” Jr., Heidrick
Executive Chair, Board of Trustees
Seminary of the Southwest
Robert C. “Clarke,” Jr., Heidrick is executive chair of the Seminary of the Southwest Board of Trustees. A graduate of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin, Vanderbilt University, and the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, Clarke is a partner at McGinnis Lochridge in Austin. He has over 40 years of experience representing clients in a wide array of businesses in many different types of business transactions.
The Advent Meditations and Prayers are a gift to our seminary community and are made possible through gifts to our Annual Fund. Seminary of the Southwest appreciates the support of its friends, alumni, and the communities around the world that its graduates serve for the glory of God. This support ensures that Southwest, as an institution made of individuals dedicated to service to God and their fellow members of the body of Christ, can continue doing its part to build the body of Christ.
