Advent Already? Confessions of a Theology Nerd

So I did this thing. I am both proud and chagrined that I did it. I like to joke that I did this thing because I have no life, but the reality is that I am just a theology nerd. I actually like my life (on most days) and enjoyed doing this thing that I did.

            I wrote a book for your church.

The book is an Advent devotional called Saints Alive! Meditations on John’s Gospel. It was originally produced for St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Tucson. [Full disclosure: my wife, Laura, was the Director of Adult Discipleship when I offered to write them the devotional.]

Some of you have asked me, “When did you have time to do this?” Actually, I have had plenty of time to write because Laura is in seminary – when she studies at night, I write. And I love to write; it is life-giving, soul refreshment for me, which leads us back to the aforementioned moniker: theology nerd.

I must warn you that Saints Alive! is not like most Advent devotionals. Rather than focus exclusively on the nearness of Jesus’ birth, its horizon broadens to include the expanse of his entire life. In Saints Alive! you will receive Biblical insight into the entirety of John’s Gospel – from “In the beginning…” to “These things are written that you might believe.”

The focus throughout, with the exception of John’s Prologue in chapter 1, of course, is on the personal encounters between Jesus and those whom he encountered. To encourage our encounter with Jesus, each half page of devotional is accompanied by a half page of prayer and spiritual direction. The prayers are written in the stylistic format of the Prayer of St. Francis, so you can read a Prayer of Nicodemus, a Prayer of St. Martha, and even a Prayer of Pontius Pilate.

            But there’s a catch.

You personally, or a member of your church, can access Saints Alive! by clicking on this link: The PDF is formatted to print as an 8 ½ x 14 sheet, unless you like really small print. Individuals and all churches are given permission to make as many copies available as they would like, and forward the link to whomever will receive it! All I ask is that, if a church uses Saints Alive! as a devotional, it ask its members for a thank offering, collect the funds, and send a check to presbytery to be given to our mission partners. (Zero comes to me; all money goes to our mission partners.) If you forward the link to your Methodist friend and their church uses it, have them collect a free-will offering and send it to whatever Methodist conference that is closest – same with your Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Baptist friends: Pay it forward is all I ask.

We each have something to give to Jesus. I feel as if this is something I can offer. I pray you will be blessed. I pray others will be blessed. Advent is coming soon, and, hopefully, so is Jesus!

In the name of the Prince of Peace,
Brad Munroe