Monday prior to Christmas

 

[1]

 Psalm 98:1; The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. With trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-- shout for joy before the LORD, the King. is the psalm verse for the Introit for Christmas Day while the antiphon is from Isaiah 9:6   For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

We are now just one week away from Christmas. Are you ready for the celebration? Christmas will come whether you are ready or not. The good news is that at just the right time our Lord Jesus broke into time and space to be our Savior. He intervened at precisely the right time. His entry into this world happened according to the Father’s perfect will for this world and especially for you.

Jesus does not change. He makes it a habit of showing up at exactly when He needs to and specifically in those places he has promised to be found; in His Word, in his gifts, in his action of forgiveness and restoration.  Throughout this week of preparation be mindful that in the midst of your many tasks you must do the Lord has specifically had you on his mind from the beginning of time. You were on his mind when he entered this world and he has remembered you every single day since. Now that’s good news each of us can appreciate.       

Heavenly Father, we thank you that Your Word emboldens our hearts with praise and thanksgiving as we rejoice in Your promises.   Thank You Lord for fulfilling Your word through Jesus, our King of Kings and our Lord of Lords.  Thank you for showing us the way of humility and blessing by taking the form of a baby to bring the hope of the world and salvation to the nations.   Lord, your ways are so much better than ours.  You are our Peace and our Joy and our Salvation.  To You be the glory! Amen and amen!

Collect for 98: Lord, we sing to you a new song, for your victory is ever new. In the empty tomb you have give us a glimpse of your future and in your victory over death you have shown us how we sll overcome the last enemy. As the seas roar and the hills sing together, we too will praise you for your great triumph, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.[2] - 19 December 2022

---

[1] Christmas image copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for Psalm 98, For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and by the Church Vol. 1 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY