About the devotional
“Open Arms” by Andrew Weatherly
When planning Presbyterians Today’s 2018 Advent devotional, verse 52 from Mary’s Song of Praise, also known as The Magnificat, which is found in Luke 1, kept coming to me: He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.
I began thinking about those times God had lifted me. I began thinking about those who have gifted me with their songs of praise — beautiful notes of God looking on them with mercy. I also thought about our world so in need of a Savior. And so, this year’s devotional is for you, for your friends and family, for the stranger next door — it’s a reminder that God has a song for us all.
Just ask Andrew Weatherly, who wrote the poems and created the artwork for this devotional. Andrew was in my Sunday school class while I was interning at a church during seminary. Even then, I could see more to him than his disability. Born with Down syndrome, Andrew hasn’t let anything stop him, and he now uses his art to raise awareness of the capabilities of those with special needs.
Krin Van Tatenhove joins me in writing this devotional, sharing his thoughts in Weeks 1 and 2. The father of a special-needs son, Krin knows what it is like to fight “the system” so that his son can have the same opportunities as those who are labeled “normal.”
As for me, this project is close to my heart. I have a special-needs brother who struggles to find his place in the world. His time of Advent waiting seems endless at times, but God is working on his song of praise.
May this devotional, inspired by Mary’s song, be an Advent blessing to you. May it be the reminder we all need that no matter what, God lifts us up.
Donna Frischknecht Jackson
Editor, Presbyterians Today
About the writers
Donna Frischknecht Jackson is the editor of Presbyterians Today. A former magazine editor for the fine jewelry industry in New York City, she was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 2007. She lives in Vermont with her husband, Paul, and a bumbling Bernese mountain dog, Sofie. She has a heart for advocating for those who may be overlooked, like her brother. She is also passionate about rural ministry and seeks to get those voices heard. She blogs about her experiences at accidentalcountrypastor.com.
Krin Van Tatenhove has been an ordained Presbyterian pastor for 31 years, with experience as a hospice chaplain, director of two projects for Habitat for Humanity, substance abuse counselor in both Nevada and Texas, and writer for newspapers and magazines. He is the co-author of Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation into a Powerhouse for Mission, due out from Westminster John Knox Press in early 2019. Krin and his wife, Donna, have a blended family with four children, including their special-needs son, Kristoffer.
About the artist
Andrew Weatherly of South Presbyterian Church in Bergenfield, New Jersey, is a young man with Down syndrome who has found his voice through art. Insightful, intuitive, sincere and passionate about his work, he views art as a tool for both personal and social growth. He explores his creativity through painting, photography and writing; has published two books on his experiences; and gives talks about his experiences as an artist and in life. Additional information can be found at andrewweatherly.com.
Reprints
A limited number of reprints of this Advent Devotional are available.
Single copy, $4.50; 2–9 copies, $3.50 each; 10–99 copies, $2.50 each; 100 or more, $1.95 each, plus shipping and handling. Please call 800-533-4371 and ask for 17116-18-007. Order online at pcusa.org/2018advent