Friday prior to Advent 4

 

 [1]

Matthew 1:18–25—A Blender for Christmas? At Christmas a good blender was once a popular gift. Various foods and liquids can be put in a blender and in a minute or two the items are blended into one substance. The various items cannot be distinguished one from the other.

At Christmas, God send the world a blender – Jesus. In him God and man, divinity and humanity were so perfectly blended that no one can separate the human and divine natures in him. He is all human and all God, perfectly blended into one integrated personality; Jesus, the God-man.

With the coming of Jesus we see the human nature of Jesus; Born of a woman, born as a human. Vv. 20-21 We also see the divine nature of Jesus; conceived by the Holy Spirit with a God-given name. Vv. 20-23[2]

Here is the consummation of our advent preparation: the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to a virgin, just as Isaiah had prophesied. No ordinary child, this One was conceived from the Holy Spirit and born to a human mother. Jesus (‘the LORD saves’): what a fitting name for the Son of God come down from heaven and the One who, by laying down His life for us, would save his people from their sins.

All-powerful Father, guide us with your love as we await the coming of your Son, Keep us faithful that we may be helped through life and brought to salvation. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [3] - 16 December 20122

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[1] Advent, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Prayer for the Friday of the week of Advent 3, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, © 1996 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY