Thursday, December 17, 2020

Friday prior to Advent 4

 

Luke 1:26–38—What a shock it must have been for this pious young woman to learn that she, not having known a man, would give birth to a baby boy. And no ordinary boy, but God Himself, the second Person of the Trinity! Due to the miracle wrought through the Holy Spirit, Child born would be ‘true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary.’ The Blessed Virgin is, therefore, truly the Mother of God, and her Son, the Savior of mankind, is properly named ‘Jesus,’ that is, ‘Yahweh saves.’

The promise told in the Old Testament lesson is fulfilled in this week’s Gospel lesson. A messenger from heaven comes to a young girl in Nazareth to tell her that she is to be the mother of the Messiah. Joseph was a son of David. By physical nature Jesus was a son of David. He was also son of God and his kingdom was to be eternal. This was all the LORD’s work, for the child would be the produce of the Holy Spirit. Humbly and submissively Mary consented to be Gods’ instrument in bringing his Son on earth as a human being.[1]

From the great Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

O come Thou Lord of might
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.[2]


[1] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[2] O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

No comments: