Christmas 1

 

01 January 2023
Matthew 2:13-15; 19-23
God protects from danger
Joseph the friend of children

 

In the afterglow of Christmas day, we confront the trauma of suffering, death-threats, and persecution of the helpless and innocent. Each of the Lessons for today remind us of just what kind of world to which Jesus came — a hostile world that did not only want him, but tried to kill him. 

In the Gospel, the holy family was forced to flee to Egypt to avoid death by King Herod.

The holy family flees to Egypt and returns to Nazareth. Matthew sees Jesus as the second Moses. He went to Egypt and by the direction of God was brought back to Galilee. Matthew emphasizes the fact that what happened to Jesus was a fulfillment of prophecy.

In today’s Gospel lesson Joseph proved to be a friend of the little child Jesus. 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: God’s concern compassion and aid come through cooperative believers. In today’s world of cruelty to and exploitation of children, God 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.                One who is 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 appears 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 God not have legions of angels to protect his newborn Son? 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 and said, “Tell that fox....” 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. In World War II, MacArthur had to flee from the Philippines only to return later to conquer.

The king was determined to kill the baby Jesus. It tells us the kind of world a baby enters. It is a hostile world into which we are born, a world out to get us. 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 “died.” 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? “This too shall pass” — things will get better if we have the patience to wait.

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…”

Archelaus was the son of Herod the Great. He ruled over Judea and Samaria for only ten years. He usually cruel and tyrannical and so was deposed.  Judea then became a Roman province, administered by prefects appointed by the emperor.

Jesus was born in a hostile world. Not only was there no room in the inn for 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.

3.      a true friend of children is 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 {11:1} reminds us, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” Originally God called the nation of Israel out Egypt in the time of Moses.  But Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit apples it also to Jesus. Matthew sees the history of Israel (God’s son) condensed in 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. And as Israel was led by God out of Egypt, so also was Jesus.

The First Sunday after Christmas seems to tell us that, like Jesus, we are born in a hostile and threatening world, but that God is with us and will use the suffering for our good. We know that the Lord works through means. Joseph and Mary were the means by which Jesus was protected.  Thank God there are people in our own community, mind you, in this very congregation who like Joseph and March 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. No one ever suffers alone, no one ever walks alone, no one ever dies alone. “In all their afflictions He was afflicted.”

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Words- 1,045

Passive Sentences –12.5%

Readability – 75%

Reading Level – 6.7

Saturday prior to Christmas 1

 

[1]

Luke 2:41-52 - The Hymn of the Day is Within the Father’s House (Lutheran Service Book #410)It recounts the Gospel reading of the Boy Jesus in the temple, and then offers up a prayer in stanzas 5 and 6 that we, by grace, might grasp and hold to the mysteries of the Incarnation and the Holy Trinity till they are at last made fully known to us on that great day when our Lord returns in majesty and glory.

5 Lord, visit Thou our souls
And teach us by Thy grace
Each dim revealing of Thyself
With loving awe to trace

 

6 Till we behold Thy face
And know as we are known
Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Coequal Three in One.

Today is the last day of 2022 As we anticipate the dawn of a New Year walk with your Savior every moment and in every season of life.

Collect for the Feast of 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 rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect 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 with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever [2]. - 31 December  2022 –

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us
[2] Collect for the Feast of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus, Collect for the New Year, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Friday prior to Christmas 1

 

[1]

Luke 2:40–52—The Jewish rabbis were astounded by the teaching of this young Boy. How could such a One expound the Scriptures as He did? The antiphon from the Introit proclaims it well: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word made flesh expounded the written Word to these great teachers. We have not only the written Word (Old Testament) that they had, but we also have the benefit of the Holy Gospels, the record of the words and the deeds of the Incarnate Word.

Let us never take God’s Word for granted, but diligently ‘read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest’ it, so that ‘by patience and comfort of [God’s] holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life.

Prayer for December 30: All-powerful God, may the human birth of your Son free us from our former slavery to sin and bring us new life. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [2]- 30 December 2022 –

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us

[2] Prayer for December 30, For All the Saints, A Prayer book For and By the Church, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1995 Delhi, NY

Thursday prior to Christmas 1

 

[1]

Ephesians 1:3–14—Even if we seem to be lacking in worldly wealth or wisdom, we are assured that we, the elect of God, have a treasure far greater than anything on earth. We have the salvation planned by in eternity by God and won in time by Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us with His blood and forgiven us of our trespasses. Furthermore, He has bestowed upon us His Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance until the Last Day, when all His promises will be fulfilled.

Adoption was not uncommon in antiquity. Among the elite it served the important function of allowing for an heir if one had no children, or if one’s children died. The adopted person (who could be a child or an adult) gained social status through association with the parent’s social status. In the same way a biological child would, the adopted child benefitted from the social and political connections of their parent. They also gained wealth through their inheritance. In return the adopted child honored the parent through taking the parent’s name and being loyal to them.

Similarly, adoption by God is a blessing for which the apostle Paul praises God. It is an action planned by God (vv. 5, 9, 10, 11) and also pleasing to God (“according to the good pleasure of his will,” v. 5). It results in the praise of God (vv. 6, 14) by the adopted ones, who have a share in an inheritance from God (v. 14).

The adoption indicated here is unique in that it is not the adoption of an individual but of a people. The language echoes the stories of God choosing Israel (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalm 135:4; Isaiah 41:8), and the purpose of being chosen for “redemption” (Ephesians 1:7, 14) evokes God’s release of Israel from slavery (e.g., Exodus 6:6). In addition, all of the relevant verbs and pronouns (we, us) in the passage are plural. Paul is not so much concerned with God’s relationship to individual believers as with the claim that God has chosen a people for God’s self.

The adoption of God’s people is part of a larger plan that has been established in the past and has both present and future effects. Already God has gifted the community with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. This is not simply a promise of future gifts to be experienced in heaven, but a present gift of spiritual blessings. Similarly, in Ephesians 1:14 the Gentiles are described as having been sealed with the Holy Spirit, likely a reference to baptism. The experience of transformation by the Spirit is “a down payment of our inheritance” (v. 14). Believers participate now in something that is a preview of the gifts that will be realized fully in the age to come.[2]

Prayer for December 29: All-powerful and unseen God, the coming of your light into our world has made the darkness vanish. Teach us to proclaim the birth of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.[3] Amen - 29 December 2022—

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us
[2] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-15-2/commentary-on-ephesians-13-14-8
[3] Collect for December 29, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1995 Delhi, NY

Wednesday prior to Christmas 1

 

[1]

1 Kings 3:4–15—In the tale of Aladdin’s lamp, Aladdin desires and receives great riches from the genie in the lamp. If you could have anything your heart desired, what would it be? Power? Wealth? Long life? Solomon humbly asked the LORD for wisdom to rule God’s people well. His request was granted, and Solomon became the wisest man ever to have lived. Because of his altruistically wise request, the LORD also gave Solomon what he did not ask for: great riches and honor, far beyond any other king.

We can benefit from Solomon’s wisdom in the books of Ecclesiastes and Proverbs. We can benefit from the wisdom of God in all 66 books of the Holy Bible.

This is the last week of an old year. A New Year will soon dawn. Many reflecting on the year past resolve to do something new; lose weight, drop a bad habit, start a new program. Sadly, within a few short days the New Year’s resolution is yesterday’s news and as for all those good intentions nothing really changes.

Solomon’s resolve is different. He asked the Lord for a descending heart. Each of us could benefit from godly discernment. May we be more keenly aware of the sensitivities of others, may we be quick to listen, slow to speak, with a discriminating and judicious; well judged mind.  James teaches, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” –James 1:19  

“Quick to listen” means that we train ourselves to wait for the whole story before diving in with our opinion. “Slow to speak” is the flip side of that. We control our words and don’t blurt out everything that comes into our heads. Solomon’s request stands as a guide as we close out one year looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that await us in the coming New Year.

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 with Your and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2] -28 December 2022 —

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us
[2] Collect for grace to receive God’s Word, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis

Tuesday prior to Christmas 1

 

[1]

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Psalm 119:97–104—Psalm 119 is an example of Hebrew poetry, which is different than English poetry. First, the psalm is an acrostic: that is, every line of each section starts with the same Hebrew letter, in this case ‘mem’ (מ). Another characteristic of Hebrew poetry is parallelism, where the two halves of each line complement each other in some way. Here, we see that the second half of each line serves to amplify the thought in the first half. The psalmist proclaims that the Word of God is the source of wisdom; it rewards the one who meditates on it by making him wiser than my enemies and having more understanding than all my teachers. So, too, let us not fail to immerse ourselves in the study of God’s Word, for it is sweeter than honey to my mouth.

Collect for Psalm 119: Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal. Teach us to love you with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the same of Jesus our Lord. [2] 27 December 2022—

[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us

[2] Collect for Psalm 119, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau,©  1995 Delhi, NY

Monday prior to Christmas 1

 

[1]

Psalm 147:1, 5, 11–12; Antiphon, John 1:14—The antiphon proclaims the mystery of the Incarnation: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. In the original Greek, the word ‘dwelt’ is derived from word for ‘tabernacle’. That is, the God who dwelt with His people in the tabernacle in the wilderness, who delivered them from bondage in Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land—He is the same God that assumed flesh and dwelt with us as the God-man Jesus Christ, the same one who delivered us from our bondage to sin, and will, at the Last Day, take us into our Promised Land, eternal life with Him in heaven.

As we prepare for Sunday worship we will see that The Lord Jesus Is Found in the Temple of His Church. “The Lord Jesus “grew and became strong” (Luke 2:40); He “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). As His body grew and developed, His mind also increased in knowledge and understanding. For as our brother in the flesh, that we might “have redemption through His blood” (Ephesians 1:7), He lived by faith in the Word of His Father. Thus, He was catechized by His parents, who took Him up “to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover” (Luke 2:41); and when He was of age, He gave attention to the Holy Scriptures in His Father’s house (Luke 2:46, 49). Christ Jesus is still found in His Church, in “the Word of truth, the Gospel,” by which we are adopted by His Father and sealed with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:5, 13). Thus do we gain “an understanding mind” to go about our vocations, discerning “between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). And so do we also go up to Jerusalem, to stand “before the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (1 Kings 3:15), that is, in the Holy Communion of His body and blood.

Collect for Psalm 147:  God our Father, great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem, you know the number of the stars and call each of them by name. Heal hearts that are broken, gather those who have been scattered, and enrich us all from the plenitude of your eternal wisdom, Jesus Christ our Lord.[2]  - 26 December 2022—

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us
[2] Collect for Psalm 147, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 2006 Delhi, NY

Christmas 1 - Series A

Christmas 1 Series A

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

O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us aAnd in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously resorted our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us. 

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” (Matthew 2:13). But 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’” (Matthew 2:15). With might and strength, God accompanies His people, causing “his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses” (Isaiah 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” (Isaiah 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!” (Galatians 4:4–6).

Matthew 2:13-23

The Flight into Egypt

Matthew 2:13

Ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κυρίου [a]φαίνεται κατ’ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ λέγων· Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ φεῦγε εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι· μέλλει γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ζητεῖν τὸ παιδίον τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτό. 

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."

 Matthew 2:14

ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς καὶ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον,

And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt

Matthew 2:15

καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς Ἡρῴδου· ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν [b]ὑπὸ κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· Ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐκάλεσα τὸν υἱόν μου.

and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

 Herod Kills the Children

Matthew 2:16

Τότε Ἡρῴδης ἰδὼν ὅτι ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν μάγων ἐθυμώθη λίαν, καὶ ἀποστείλας ἀνεῖλεν πάντας τοὺς παῖδας τοὺς ἐν Βηθλέεμ καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῆς ἀπὸ διετοῦς καὶ κατωτέρω, κατὰ τὸν χρόνον ὃν ἠκρίβωσεν παρὰ τῶν μάγων.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

 Matthew 2:17

τότε ἐπληρώθη τὸ ῥηθὲν [c]διὰ Ἰερεμίου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος·

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

 Matthew 2:18

Φωνὴ ἐν Ῥαμὰ [d]ἠκούσθη, κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὀδυρμὸς πολύς· Ῥαχὴλ κλαίουσα τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν παρακληθῆναι ὅτι οὐκ εἰσίν.

"A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more."

 Return to Nazareth

Matthew 2:19

Τελευτήσαντος δὲ τοῦ Ἡρῴδου ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κυρίου [e]φαίνεται κατ’ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ 

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

 Matthew 2:20

λέγων· Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ πορεύου εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ, τεθνήκασιν γὰρ οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου.

saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."

Matthew 2:21

ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ [f]εἰσῆλθεν εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ. 

And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:22

ἀκούσας δὲ ὅτι Ἀρχέλαος [g]βασιλεύει τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἀντὶ [h]τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ Ἡρῴδου ἐφοβήθη ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν· χρηματισθεὶς δὲ κατ’ ὄναρ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας,

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.

Matthew 2:23

καὶ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς πόλιν λεγομένην Ναζαρέτ, ὅπως πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν ὅτι Ναζωραῖος κληθήσεται.

And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. -

 A true friend of children is one who...

1. Is open to God's guidance - v13, Vv.19-20

2. Is aware of the worlds threats - V.21

3. Immediately obeys God - V.14

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

Image  "Joy to the world"  copyright  ©  Ed Riojas Higher Things 

Time in the Word - The Circumcision of our Lord -

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 2022
Preparation for next week, the Circumcision and Name of Jesus

Monday, 26 December 2022—Psalm 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 2022—Psalm 8—Psalm 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 madea little lower than the heavenly beings; yet, because of His work of salvation, He has been crowned with glory and honor.

Wednesday, 28 December 2022—Numbers 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 2022—Galatians 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 2022—Luke 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 2022—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 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.

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 . . .

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 . . .

Sources

Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on Worship

Prayers from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Te Deum copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Christmas Day

 

Christmas Day
25 December 2022
Isaiah 9:6
What’s in a Name?

The child to be born simply means that the humanity of Jesus has a starting point. The Son must be given because the Second Person of the Trinity is eternal. Now He adds humanity to His deity.

That Jesus is both God and man tells us that man really is made in the image of God. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” - Genesis 1:26

Our problem. Is not our humanity. But our fallenness. To say, “I am only human,” is not enough. Jesus was fully human. Yet perfect.  It is more accurate to say, “I am only fallen.” The humanity Jesus adds to His Divine nature was not the sinful humanity we commonly known. But the perfect humanity of Adam and Ever before the fall.

Jesus remains a man eternally. The Scriptures teach; “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”- 1 Timothy 2:5; “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing pat the right hand of God.  And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing pat the right hand of God.”-Acts 7:55-56 Jesus is now a man in a resurrected body. A body you will one day receive.

If Jesus were not fully man. He could not stand in the place of sinful men to be the substitute for the punishment our sin deserves. If He were not fully God – His sacrifice would be insufficient.

Where is the Gospel located in the Christmas story? It is found in the announcement from the angel of the LORD to your ears this day –

“Fear not! For behold. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the LORD.” – Luke 2:10-11

Isaiah tells us “His name shall be called…” The idea is not that these will be literal names of the Messiah. Instead. These are the aspects of His character. These words describe who He is and what He has come to do.

What’s in a name? A name identifies the character of a person. For example, my name, “Daniel” is of Hebrew origin and means, “God is my judge.” Tamara is also Hebrew, which means, “Palm tree.” Henry mans “Ruler of the Home” while Lydia is Greek for “cultured.” Gabor is of Hebrew origin meaning, “God is my strength,” or “God is my strong man.”[1]

In Biblical thought, you are a name. The son born on Christmas is no ordinary person as shown by the name He is given. What’s in a name especially His name? Consider Jesus’ title.

I. Jesus is your Counselor-

A.    He guides us into the ways of truth, divine and eternal truth.

B.     He is a helper – who came to rescue us from our greatest peril. The powers of sin, death and the Devil.

C.     Advocate – Paul put it this way, “God was in Christ reconciling us to the Father, not counting our sins against us. And He has given us this ministry of reconciliation.”

D.    Jesus is your counselor. It was by a counselor that this world was ruined. Did not Satan make himself in the form of a serpent? That Eve should take unto herself the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In the hope that she would be like God?

This world needs a counselor to restore it since it had a counselor to destroy it.  You may have a friend. That talks sweetly with you. And you might say, “Well, he is a kind soul. But I can trust his judgment.” 

You have another friend. Who has a good deal of judgement but he has no sympathy. But when you go to Jesus you get wisdom. You bet love. You get sympathy. You get everything that can possibly be wanted in a counselor.

II. He is the Mighty God-

A.    The transcendent One – who created this universe in six days and rested on the seventh. He created a vast universe for us to explore, to profit from ($1 spent in exploration translates into $17 in return) Yet He is the one who governs our days and orders our universe.

B.     Totally, other – One whose will was to be born in human likeness who for us men and our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost and was made man. Conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin He is our Savior from sin, death, and the devil.

C.     He is the God of all creation. Ad glory. The LORD who reigns in heaven. The ONE worthy of worship and praise.

III. He is the Everlasting Father –

A.    Warm – who has loved us with an everlasting love.

B.     Tender – who speaks to us favorably through His inspired Word.

C.     Caring – Who in love has reached down to us to save us from our sins.

D.    In these Hebrew words is the understand that Jesus is the source and author of all eternity. He is the Creator Himself.

E.     He is the Compassionate God- Who broke into time and space to be our Savior – who took on flesh to dwell among us, to take the burden of our guilt and sin.

IV. He is the Prince of Peace –

A.    The creator of our peace with God. He is the source of every blessing. Our peace comes only from Him.

B.     The one who will bestow His abiding peace on those who are called by His saving Gospel. This is why we share His story with the world so that souls might be won for Him.

C.     He is the one who makes peace. Especially between God and man. The Apostle Paul suggests – “For he himself is our peace who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” – Ephesians 2:14

What’s in a name? There’s plenty. The child whose birth we celebrate this day has been given the name “Jesus” for “He will save His people from their sins.” And save us is what He has done. No wonder the angels who announced His birth would exclaim, “There is now peace on earth and good will toward men”! A Blessed Christmas in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Words-1,125
Passive Sentences – 10%
Readability – 80.4%
Reading Level – 4.7

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[1] http://www.thenewparentsguide.com/baby-names-c.htm