Saturday, December 31, 2016

Christmas 1


Christmas 1
January 1, 2017
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
God’s Promises fulfilled

The Goodness of God – God Protects from Danger – Joseph the friend of children

Isaiah 63:7–14
Galatians 4:4–7
Matthew 2:13–23
  


The Lord Jesus Undergoes a New Exodus in Order to Save His People from Their Sins


Herod’s efforts to destroy the little Lord Jesus anticipate the cross for which He was born. In response to Herod’s edict, Joseph must “take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt” (Matt. 2:13). Nevertheless, the Lord does not abandon the holy family there. He brings about salvation for all people, just as He “had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son’” (Matt. 2:15).






 With might and strength, God accompanies His people, causing “his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses” (Is. 63:12). Now through Jesus, even our afflictions are borne by Christ on the cross. “He redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them” (Is. 63:9). All of this is accomplished by God’s might so that we, too, are claimed as members of His family. For we “receive adoption as sons” in the only-begotten Son, Christ Jesus, even as He became like us by His conception and birth of the woman. Thus redeemed by Christ, no longer slaves of sin and death but beloved children and heirs of God, we pray in Jesus’ name: “Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:4–6).

The Gospels tell us very little concerning Jesus’ early life. We are told of his birth and his encounter with the elders in Jerusalem when he is twelve. Today’s gospel, of his flight into Egypt and the slaughter of the innocence are all we have concerning Jesus’ early years.

Hymn of the Day: LSB #389 “Let All Together Praise the Lord


Collect of the Day: O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son, yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

In the afterglow of Christmas, we confront the trauma of suffering; death-threats, the persecution of the helpless, and the innocent. Each of the Lessons for today remind us of just what kind of world to which Jesus came — a hostile world that not only did not want Him, but tried to kill and destroy Him. In the Gospel, the holy family was forced to flee to Egypt to avoid death by King Herod. Just how bad was Herod? Even the Emperor Augustus, reportedly remarked, “It is better to be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son![1]

The holy family flees to Egypt and returns to Nazareth. Matthew presents Jesus as the second Moses. He went to Egypt and by the direction of the Father was brought back to Galilee. What happened to Jesus was a fulfillment of prophecy.

Joseph proved to be a friend of the little child Jesus. He stands as an excellent example for us as we begin a New Year. Not too many years ago, the popular expression, was put forth in the form of a question, “What would Jesus do?”  Well, we know what Jesus would do. The testimony of Scripture is clear. Often this phrase, was used, as a suggestion, that we poor sinners could interject ourselves into certain situations and insert our own will. As if to say, “In this situation, I would do thus, and so, because - that’s what Jesus would do!”  Really? Who among us has the mind of God? 

May I suggest, instead of asking, “What would Jesus do?  Ask yourself, “What would Joseph do?” And what did Joseph do? He always responds in faith – regardless of circumstances. He took Mary to be his wife, knowing her child was not his own. When he went to register for the census, he was met with derision, rejection and scorn. Raised in a culture of inclusion and hospitality. Remembering what it was like to be a stranger when they were scattered across the globe. Wandering, with no sense of belonging. Joseph came from a people who made an extra effort to invite others who may not have another place to go.  But, in this instance, his own family turns him away. There simply was “no room for them in the inn.” And now, in this instance, Joseph is aroused from sleep, and warned to take the child and his mother and flee into Egypt. How would you react given these circumstances? Again, Joseph remains consistent. He always responds in faith. Despite the circumstances. Regardless of the outcome!  

What would have happened to the baby if Joseph had not been a willing worker for God? Here we see a great and profound truth: the Lord’s concern compassion and aid come through cooperative believers. In today’s world of cruelty to and exploitation of children, the Father is still concerned about the threatened and the oppressed little ones. He works through His obedient servants to be friends to afflicted children.

Today we observe the marks of a friend of children. A true friend of children is one who…

1. Open to God’s guidance – Vv. 13, 19-20 – “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”   “After Herod had died, an angel of the Lord appear in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

Is not fleeing a bad situation and an act of cowardice? Why not take a stand, confront the enemy and fight it out? If Jesus is the Messiah, none other than the Son of God, why should he flee from a worldly king? Does the Father not have legions of angels to protect His newborn Son? In World War II, MacArthur had to flee from the Philippines only to return later to conquer. There is a time to flee and a time not to flee.

When Jesus was grown, friends urged Him to flee from Herod who sought his life. But, Jesus refused to run. In this case, to flee was the right thing to do. There was no way at that time to oppose Herod. But, there will come a day. A day of return. To battle the enemy.

The king was determined to kill the infant Christ. This tells us the kind of world this baby enters. It is a hostile world into which we are born. It is a broken world outside of Eden. Today a child faces “death” in terms of child pornography, child abuse by parents and adults, and incest. It is a rough and tough world with tyrants, murderers, and molesters.

The holy family stayed in Egypt until Herod “was dead.” Rulers come and go But God remains. When ruthless dictators straddle the earth, the day is coming when they are no more.

Where are those who frightened and cursed the earth in the twentieth century — Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and Tojo? And now, as we are in the twenty-first how do we fare?   “This too shall pass” — things will get better if we have the patience to wait.

Transition: A true friend of children is one who…

2. A true friend of children is one who is aware of the world’s threats – V. 22 - “But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee…

Jesus was born in a hostile world. Not only was there “no room for them in the inn” at His birth, but before He was two years old, He had to be carried to Egypt to escape death at the order of King Herod. Again, because Herod’s successor, Archelaus, was equally as dreadful, the family had to settle in Nazareth. Ever vigilant Joseph keeps watch. He provides a safe space for the Christ child. Regardless of personal setback or loss. 

Archelaus was the son of Herod the Great. He ruled over Judea and Samaria for only ten years. He too was unusually cruel and tyrannical. Someone even worse replaces someone evil and destructive.  And so, in time, he too was deposed.  Judea then became a Roman province. Administered by prefects appointed by the emperor.

Sometimes things do not get better with time. Today is the beginning of a New Year. Will things get better? We might hope so. But there are no guarantees.  

But the Lord, who entered time and space, does not content Himself live in a fleeting moment of time. Rather, He chooses to remain present with you - despite what may come your way.  Circumstances do not determine the Lord’s concern for you. It is not for you to know times or seasonsMy times are in Your hands.” – Acts 1:7; Psalm 31:15  As the dawn of a New Year stands before us remember this reality – nothing will befall you in this New Year without the Savior’s knowledge and consent. “With the Lord begin Thy task – Jesus will direct it!”

Transition: A true friend of children is one who…

3. One who immediately obeys God – V. 14 - “So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt.”

The prophet Hosea reminds us, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” V. 11:1, Originally the Lord called the nation of Israel out Egypt in the time of Moses.  However, Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, apples it also to Jesus. Matthew sees the history of Israel (God’s son) condensed into the life of Jesus. (God’s unique Son)  Just as Israel as an infant nation wend down into Egypt, so the child Jesus went there also. And as the Lord, out of Egypt, led Israel, so was Jesus.

The First Sunday after Christmas seems to tell us that, like Jesus, we are born in a hostile and threatening world. Yet God is with you. He will use even suffering for your good. We know that the Lord works through means. Joseph became the means by which Jesus was protected. Thank God, there are people in our own community, mind you, in this very room, who, like Joseph, watch and work on behalf of others – true friends and guardians of children.

Who are these true friends of children? – The list is endless. They are parents and grandparents. Stepparents; who, by choice, love support and protect children as their own. Foster parents and grandparents. Families, who through the gift of adoption graft children into their family tree. There are schoolteachers and peace officers. Police officers and first responders. – CPS workers. Child advocates. Counselors. Watchful neighbors. Diligent, vigilant prayer warriors. Faithful friends, and the like. These, like Joseph, are the protectors and guardians of children.

The Lord suffers in all the afflictions of His people. Because of His love. He feels what we feel. He hurts when we hurt. He suffers when we suffer. When the Lord called Moses, He said that He heard the cries of His enslaved people in Egypt. He calls His own child Jesus our of Egypt in order to redeem and save. 

No one ever suffers alone. No one ever walks alone. No one ever dies alone. “In all their afflictions He was afflicted…And the angel of His presence saves them.” – Isaiah 63:9




[1] Macrobius, Saturnalia, 2:4:11—the joke being that, since Herod was a Jew, he didn’t eat pork and his pig would be safe.



















Words –1,550
Passive Sentences –7%
Readability –77.1
Reading level – 5.4
Image: Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for private and congregational use

Thursday, December 29, 2016

David


Today the church commemorates King David, who despite his own sin always sought the mercy of God. 

Have mercy upon me, O god, according to thy loving kindness, according unto the multitude of they tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sins is ever before me. Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou has t broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;l and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

from Psalm 51

Woodcuts by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld © WELS

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Time in the Word - The Circumcision and Name of Jesus

The Lord Jesus is Circumcised to Fulfill the Law
and Shed His Blood for Us
Circumcision, the covenant God made with Abraham and his Seed, sealed His promises and blessings in the flesh, but it also signified the burden of the Law. When the Lord Jesus came in the flesh to redeem His people, He subjected Himself to that Law in order to fulfill the Law and release all people from its bondage. “He was called Jesus” (Luke 2:21), because He came to save His people from their sins. Jesus first shed His blood on our behalf when “He was circumcised” (Luke 2:21), thus foreshadowing His shedding of blood as He sacrificed Himself upon the Cross. We are “justified by faith” in His blood (Gal. 3:24). Therefore, we “are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:29), not by the circumcision of our flesh, but in the flesh and blood of Christ Jesus, the true Seed of Abraham. “Baptized into Christ,” we belong to Him and are clothed and covered by His righteousness (Gal. 3:27). Holy Baptism is the true circumcision made without hands, by which the Lord Jesus puts His Name on us and blesses us (Num. 6:22, 27).




Time in the Word
26–31 December 2016
Preparation for next week, the Circumcision and Name of Jesus

Monday, 26 December 2016Psalm 40:6–8; antiphon, Psalm 40:16—Jesus has come in the flesh and fulfilled the entire Law for us, beginning with His fulfilling of the Law of Circumcision. Neither are animal sacrifices necessary any longer, for these were only meant to point to the One who became the supreme, once-for-all Sacrifice for the sins of the world; hence, David writes: In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. What is required for salvation is faith, received by the ear which God opens and into which He speaks His saving Gospel message.

Tuesday, 27 December 2016Psalm 8Psalm 8 is a song of great praise to God for all the mighty works He has done in creating the universe, the earth, and all that is in them. But the greatest work of all, is that He sent His Son into the world to assume flesh, the uncreated One becoming part of the creation, that He might redeem creation from the curse under which it fell when Adam and Eve first sinned. The Son of God, Creator of all things, it is He who has been made a little lower than the heavenly beings; yet, because of His work of salvation, He has been crowned with glory and honor.

Wednesday, 28 December 2016Numbers 6:22–27—The Old Testament reading for next week is the well-known Aaronic benediction. The word benediction comes from the Latin word that means to bless. It is called the Aaronic benediction, because it was first given, here in Numbers, to the High Priest Aaron, brother of Moses, to bless the Children of Israel. Note that it is pure blessing; it makes no demands of the people, but simply is a declaration of God’s benefit to them. They had been given His Name, and thus received a blessing.
Thursday, 29 December 2016Galatians 3:23–29—As God declared in the Old Testament reading, He had put His Name on the people and they received His blessing. Likewise, He has put His Name on us, too, and, consequently, we also receive His blessings. In Holy Baptism, we were given the gift of faith and the forgiveness of sins. Baptized into the name of Christ, we are heirs and recipients of all of God’s blessings: forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Friday, 30 December 2016Luke 2:21—Next Sunday’s Gospel reading is very short—only one verse! It tells of the circumcision and naming of Jesus on the eighth day of His life. Fulfilling the Law of Moses with regard to circumcision, He first shed His blood for us. Receiving the name which had been told to Mary by the angel Gabriel, it reflects who He is and what He came to do; for the name JESUS means the Lord (Yahweh) saves. Jesus is true God, come down from heaven for one purpose: the salvation of as many as will believe in Him.

Saturday, 31 December 2016—The hymn of the day, Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love (LSB #900), extols the Name that was given to the Savior at His circumcision, the Name that St Paul says is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth (Philippians 2:9–10).


Collect for the Commemoration of St Stephen (26 December): Heavenly Father,  in the midst of our sufferings for the sake of Christ, grant us grace to follow the example of the first martyr, Stephen, that we also may look to the One who suffered and was crucified on our behalf, and pray for those who do us wrong; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Collect for the Commemoration of St John (27 December): Merciful Lord, cast the bright beams of Your light upon Your Church that we, being instructed in the doctrine of Your blessed apostle and evangelist John, may come to the light of everlasting life; for You live and reign . . .

Collect for the Commemoration of the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem (28 December): Almighty God, the martyred innocents of Bethlehem showed forth Your praise not by speaking but by dying. Put to death in us all that is in conflict with Your will that our lives may bear witness to the faith we profess with our lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Collect for the Circumcision and Name of Jesus (1 January): Lord God, You made Your beloved Son, our Savior, subject to the Law and caused Him to shed His blood on our behalf. Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit that our hearts may be made pure from all sins; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for the New Year: Eternal God, we commit to Your mercy and forgiveness the year now ending and commend to Your blessing and love the times yet to come. In the new year, abide among us with Your Holy Spirit that we may always trust in the saving name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns . . .

Prayer for grace to receive the Word: Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .


Prayer before the study of God’s Word: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate our study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . . 

Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on Worship
Artwork by Ed Riojas, © Higher Things
Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Christmas


Christmas Day
25 December 2016
Isaiah 9:2

O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.






The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shines.

It is significant that Jesus was born on a "Silent Night, a Holy Night" He came to a people who walked in darkness. He came as a light to eliminate that darkness. Jesus came to be a light to the people who walk in darkness.

1.     There is darkness. It is the darkness of the world - caused by sin -1 John 1:6-7 "If we say that we have fellowship him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not have the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin".

From the time in which our first parents, Adam and Eve fell headlong into sin, the people of this world have been living in a dream world.  That dream world consists in this; that the majority of people believe that they can please God even if they continue to walk in darkness.  This comes in various forms. Hardly any would believe that they are perfect.  Hardly a person on this earth will dare to believe that they are without fault.  But where people deceive themselves and live in denial is when they convince themselves that they can live a life without any consequences.

They believe that either God will make up for their shortcomings or they believe that God will somehow overlook and disregard their offences. But this does not stand the test of every man. How can we have fellowship with a holy and righteous God when we walk in the shadow and the night of sin? Thus, the evangelist John will remind us: "If we say that we have fellowship him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not have the truth."


We can try to fool our neighbors, families, friends and ourselves thinking that all is well. But the testimony of the clear Word of God's Law and the conviction of our own conscience will tell us that we cannot stand before a holy and righteous God who is perfection and light.  If we are walking in the darkness of sin, we have no fellowship with God.

So, what can we do? We cannot deny the fact that we are sinners. Try as we might, we cannot resist and conquer sin. We are a people walking in darkness, and surrounded by the shadow of death.

Transition:  This is how the world has existed from the time of Adam. But God our Father who has given us His Word and promise. He has determined to dispel the darkness of sin and death as His light shines upon us. That light came at Christmas and continues to shine ever so brightly as Christ; the light of the world, has shined upon us. 

"When Jesus enters meek and lowly To fill the home with sweetest peace; When hearts have felt His blessing holy And found from sin complete release, Then light and calm within shall reign And hearts divided love again" {TLH #65 stanza 2}[1]

2.     Jesus is the light of the world - The prophet reminds us: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shines."

So what is it that you confess? Every. Single. Sunday. “…who for us men and our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man.[2]

You see, there is a person who knows and understands you. His name is Jesus Christ. We need to remember, especially today, that there was a nativity. In that manger, the Son of God didn’t just insert Himself into human activities. He inserted Himself in the grittiness of human flesh. He was also a person who knew pain and anger. He became angry Himself on occasions, and ultimately was the victim of anger. This life that you live. Your struggles.  Your anger. Your weakness.  Your woes.  Your sorrows - your Lord knows all. Even your joys exactly. Because He became a man.*
The incarnation changes everything. For we do not have a God who was too proud to know His people. Or, a God content to rule from a great distance. Or, a God whose majesty was too awesome for us to behold. We have just the opposite. Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, who experienced the very same humanity, the very same problems, and the very same challenges that we do. No, you do not walk this road alone. Jesus is the God who came down from heaven. He was that man. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” –Isaiah 53:3 *[These thoughts and the importance of the incarnation came from Pr. Ken Kelly who serves a LCMS parish in Johnstown, PA A pastor with incredible insights.]
Christ has removed the darkness of sin. As He spoke the universe into existence with His Word saying "Let there be light" so He came into this world to shine His light upon a dark and sinful world to take away our sin, misery, and guilt.  That desert preacher proclaims to us clearly, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Christ is the eternal light and has come to save us from our sin. He does not overlook your sin. He eliminates it. He does not blink at sin, but He has entered time and space to be your substitute.

He takes unto Himself all of the world's misery and sin and He will carry it to the cross where He will suffer, die and rise again to be victorious.  The miracle of Christmas is that God has made it clear that He is in the business of redeeming and saving His people. As light eliminates the darkness so the coming of Christ brings the dawn of a new day, full of light and life. Upon us, the light of Christ has shown brightly eliminating all darkness of sin and error.

The miracle of Christmas finds its basis in the truth that Christ has come to eliminate sin. As He began the world's creation by producing light on the first day, He has shown brightly on this earth once again. In glory, there is no need of sun, moon or stars for He will be the eternal light that lights up the entire city.  As He draws us toward His light once more on this Christmas morning may the brightness of Christ burn in your hearts ever more until we are each ushered into His glory. Glory and light, which has no end!   Blessed Christmas!
Words –1,227
Passive Sentences –7%
Readability – 80.5%
Reading Level -5.4
Image: Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for private and congregational use
 


[1] A hymn that didn’t make it into the LSB but should have!
[2] The Nicene Creed


Friday, December 23, 2016

O Emmanuel







O God with Us

O Emmanuel, our King and lawgiver, for whom the nations wait, their only Savior, come Thou, O Lord our God, be our salvation.

P:
Drop down ye heavens from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness;
C:
Let the earth open and bring forth salvation.

The Collect


P:
Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, give ear to our prayers and lighten the darkness of our hearts by Thy gracious visitation; through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord.
C:
Amen.


                O Come, O Come EMMANUEL,
                And ransom captive Israel,
                That mourns in lonely exile here,
                Until the Son of God appear.
                Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel

                Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

O King of Nations





O King of Nations

O King of Nations and their great desire, thou cornerstone who makest one of twain, as Thou has formed man from the ground, come now and save him.

P:
Behold, the Lord shall come and all His saints with Him.  Alleluia!
C:
And in that day the light shall be great.  Alleluia!

 

The Collect


P:
Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy power and come, that they who trust in Thy mercy may speedily be delivered from all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.
C:
Amen.



                O Come, DESIRE OF NATIONS bind,
                In one the hearts of all mankind,
                Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
                And by Thyself our King of Peace,
                Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel
                Shall come to thee, O Israel.


Wednesday, December 21, 2016

O Rising sun




O Rising Sun

O rising orb of day, splendor of light eternal and sun of righteousness, come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

P:
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
C:
Our God shall come, Alleluia!

The Collect


P:
Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our hearts to prepare the way of Thine only-begotten Son; that by His Advent we may be enabled to serve Thee with purified minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.
C:
Amen.



                                O Come, Thou DAYSPRING from on high,
                                And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
                                Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
                                And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
                                Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel

                                Shall come to Thee, O Israel.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

O Key of David





O Key of David

O Key of David and Scepter of the House of Israel, who closeth portals and no one can open them, come thou and from his cell lead forth the captive who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.

P:
Come, O Lord, and make no tarrying;
C:
Loosen the bonds of the people Israel.

The Collect


P:
Stir up, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the wills of Thy faithful people that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works may of Thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.
C:
Amen.

                                O Come, Thou KEY OF DAVID, Come,
                                And open wide our heav’nly home
                                Make swift the way that leads on high
                                And close the path to misery.
                                Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel
                                Shall come to thee, O Israel.