St. Thomas, Apostle (December 21)

 

Judges 6:36–40
Ephesians 4:7, 11–16
John 20:24–29

St. Thomas, Apostle

The Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20). “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). We have the testimony of the truth, so that the Church is not “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning” (Eph. 4:14). As the Lord confirmed His truth to Gideon (Judges 6:36–40), so He does not turn away Thomas, but reveals His crucified and risen body to him, creating faith (John 20:27-28). Christ’s wounds are the source of our redemption and peace. Strengthened by this, Thomas is said to have brought the Gospel to India and faced a martyr’s death. Those who follow the Master will suffer on account of His Name (John 15:18–21). But by the confession of the truth, the body of Christ grows up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph. 4:15), whom Thomas praised as his “Lord” and his “God” (John 20:28).

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summery copyright LCMS commission on worship 

Saturday prior to Advent 4

[1]

 

The hymn of the day, Once in Royal David’s City (LSB 376), was designed by composer by Cecil Frances Alexander as a catechism hymn, to go along with the Second Article of the Creed: I believe in…Jesus Christ…conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. It tells the story of the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem, Royal David’s City, as foretold by the prophet Micah.

One of the Christmas traditions celebrated by many persons in the English-speaking world is to tune in on Christmas Eve, either on radio or television, to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, originating from King’s College, Cambridge. This tradition began in 1918, was first broadcast in 1928, and is now heard by millions around the world.

In 1919, Arthur Henry Mann, organist at King’s College (1876-1929), introduced an arrangement of “Once in Royal David’s City” as the processional hymn for the service. In his version, the first stanza is sung unaccompanied by a boy chorister. The choir and then the congregation join in with the organ on succeeding stanzas. This has been the tradition ever since. It is a great honor to be the boy chosen to sing the opening solo—a voice heard literally around the world.

The author of this text, Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895), was born in Dublin, Ireland, and began writing in verse from an early age. She became so adept that by the age of 22, several of her hymn texts made it into the hymnbook of the Church of Ireland. Alexander [née Humphreys] married William Alexander, both a clergyman and a poet in his own right who later became the bishop of the Church of Ireland in Derry and later archbishop. Aside from her prolific hymn writing, Mrs. Alexander gave much of her life to charitable work and social causes, something rather rare for women of her day.

“Once in Royal David’s City” first appeared in her collection, Hymns for Little Children (1848), in six stanzas. This particular text was included with others as a means to musically and poetically teach the catechism. It is based on the words of the Apostles’ Creed, “Born of the Virgin Mary,” and is in six stanzas of six lines each. Even though this text is included in the Christmas liturgical sections of most hymnals, the narrative painted by Alexander truly relates to the entire “youth” of Christ and not just his birth.

The first time the text appeared with its most popular tune pairing, IRBY, composed by Henry John Gauntlett (1805-1876), was in the Appendix to the First Edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (1868). Gauntlett, born in Wellington, Shropshire, England, was trained in the fields of law and music, and is said to have composed over 10,000 hymn tunes. IRBY is the primary tune for which he is known in the United States.

This is one of Alexander’s most narrative and vivid texts, shattering perceptions of the picturesque Nativity with the realities of the lowly stable, and the weak and dependent baby. The hymn’s controversial nature comes from the language expressing the cultural patronizing of children during the Victorian era (words such as “little,” “weak” and “helpless” are ones found particularly appalling in a 21st-century context).

In the spirit of the Romantic poetic era, Alexander speculates in stanza three that Jesus was “little, weak, and helpless” when there is no biblical account to support this. To the contrary, the one biblical witness we have of Jesus’ boyhood in Luke 2:41-52 indicates that he strayed from his parents and caused quite a stir in the temple when teachers “who heard him were amazed at his wisdom and his answers.” (Luke 2:47)

One could make a case that Alexander’s third stanza was more concerned with supporting Victorian child-rearing principles—children as submissive and “seen, but not heard”—rather than providing an accurate account of Jesus’ life. On the other hand, the child who is God incarnate surely felt the human and childlike feelings that all children face.

The final stanza moves from actual childhood to a metaphorical family in which we are all children of God. The poet explores the paradox that this “child, so dear and gentle” is actually the “Lord in heaven” who “leads his children on the place where he has gone.”[2]

Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Advent: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [3]

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[1] The Visitation, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2]https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-once-in-royal-davids-city-serves-as-processional-hymn

[3] Collect for Advent 4, Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis 

 

Friday prior to Advent 4

[1]

Luke 1:39–45 (46–56)—The Gospel for Sunday tells of the Visitation, when the blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. Both John and Elizabeth were jubilant to be in the presence of the Son of God, even while He was in the womb of His mother. John leaps, Elizabeth blesses Mary, and Mary responds by singing the Magnificat.

The Magnificat:

My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.

For he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;

He has brought down the mighty from their thrones

and exalted those of humble estate;

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

as he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his offspring forever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

God our Father, you send your Son to free mankind from the power of death. May we who celebrate the coming of Christ as man share more fully in his divine life, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [2]

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[1] The Visitation, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for Friday8 of the week of Advent 4, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Matthew 2:1-12 Reflection

Law/Gospel Theme: Today we celebrate the visitation of the Magi after the birth of Christ. Although there are many details of which we are uncertain, we do know that God’s revelation of the Messiah to the “Wise Men” was significant in demonstrating His heart for all people. 

The Magi were led by a star. Which guided them to where Jesus was. With this message, we are reminded that we have our guidance from God’s Word, the Bible.

It’s easy for us to get caught up in details, rules, or regulations. We can feel “lost” sometimes. Wondering what God would guide or how He might want us to act. 

We learn this not through road maps or travel guides, but with study in His Word, the Holy Bible. Today we learn of the importance of using the Bible as a spiritual “map” of sorts, and following its directions for our lives.

Prayer: O Lord Jesus, we meet you here at the crib, we marvel at your being born in weakness, as we also have been born. Give us the strength and the love to follow you through all the seasons of our earthly life.

 

Hymn: # 56 Joy to the World Vv. 1-2

Confession/Absolution:

LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.  In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone. And so uphold us by Your Spirit.  That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness.  And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

Matthew 2:1-12

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. This happened while Herod was king of Judea.

After Jesus’ birth, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews? When we were in the east, we saw his star. Now we have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard about it, he was very upset. Everyone in Jerusalem was troubled too. So Herod called together all the chief priests of the people. He also called the teachers of the law. He asked them where the Christ was going to be born.

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied. “This is what the prophet has written. He said,

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not the least important among the towns of Judah. A ruler will come out of you. He will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ ” —(Micah 5:2)

Then Herod called for the Wise Men secretly. He found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem. He said, “Go! Make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, bring me a report. Then I can go and worship him too.”

After the Wise Men had listened to the king, they went on their way. The star they had seen when they were in the east went ahead of them. It finally stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.

The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, incense and myrrh.

But God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they returned to their country on a different road.

Hymn: # 56 Joy to the world

Whenever we travel my wife gets a map that shows us how to get around.  You might go hiking and get a little guide - that helps you follow trails and not get lost. 

You might also use a compass - that points to the North to show you where things are.  These days a lot of people have electronic versions (hold up phone or GPS), so all you have to do is tell it where you want to go, and you can get turn by turn directions and even voice commands that guide you along your way!

Consider this, though: have you ever followed a STAR for guidance? Has the night sky told you where and how to go? That probably sounds a little strange, doesn’t it? Well, a long time ago, a little bit after Jesus was born, God sent some special visitors to Him. 

There were men who lived far away, and they had studied Scripture and watched the stars. They knew that God had promised to send a Messiah to rescue people. We sometimes call them “wise men” or “Magi.” These men saw a brilliant star shining in the sky, brighter than any other star.

They knew this was something important, and they believed God sent the star to show them where to find the Messiah. They traveled a long way to find the place the star led, and they finally found Him. 

Well, they first came to Jerusalem and saw King Herod, and then made their way to where Jesus was. 

When they found Him with Mary and Joseph. They gave Him special gifts: valuable gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They knew Jesus was important and wanted to honor Him. 

They were willing to take risks, sacrifice their time and money, and go to a lot of hard work to find the Messiah, and trusted God to lead them.

Well, we may not have brightly shining stars to guide us. But we do have a special instruction manual to show us where to go. Do you know what map God has given us for direction?  God has given His word, the Bible, for us to follow. 

It is our compass, map, and recipe for life! When we read the Bible and seek to understand what it says, we can better understand what God tells us and what ways we should live our lives. 

Just like a compass always points North, the Bible points to Christ.

All of its stories are true. And they guide us to Jesus just like the star guided the Magi. 

So whatever else we look to for direction, let’s look to the Bible for spiritual guidance. Ask God to help you understand the Bible. Study it, put it in your heart, and remember its significance. It will never steer you wrong! 

Thank you, Jesus for your love and care. Thank you for coming into our world to be our Savior, Lord and King. You are the light that guides our way. Help us to read your word. To understand what it means, and obey your directions. Thank you for your instruction.   

The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers for the sick and suffering.

The Lord has given us the beauty of worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord for gathering us on this day.

The Lord has given us life in a nation of opportunities and liberty; with public services such as fire and police protection, ambulances, food pantries, schools, libraries, and hospitals. We thank you Lord for our national life.

The Lord has given us neighbors, friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.

The Lord has given us a world full of creatures that crawl, fly, swim, and climb. We enjoy a bounty of flowers and shrubs, grass and trees, plants and moss, and rocks and hills. We thank you Lord, for your creation.

The Lord has given us a promise that where He goes, He will prepare a place for us. 

We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer. 

Sources

Advent image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Follow God’s Guidance! Mathew 2:1-12 Children’s Sermon for Epiphany Sunday - Ministry To Children 

September-15.2024-10AM-17th-Sunday-after-Pentecost.pdf (stmarksnewcanaan.org) 

 

Thursday prior to Advent 4

[1]

Hebrews 10:5–10—Christ came as a tiny Baby born in a manger in Bethlehem, but let us take care not to romanticize the scene too much. He came for one purpose, and that was to do His Father’s will by offering up His body as a sacrifice for us, so that we—who could never please God, whether by our conduct or by any sacrifices which we ourselves could offer—so that we might be saved and made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Christ came into this world to do the will of the Father. In faith we trust the Father to work His will in us. The will of the Father was simply to do the work of redemption in this world. He came to break the bondage of the devil, death and sin. He came to be our substitute. He came to live under the Law perfectly. Jesus came to take your sin and to suffer and die for the sin of the entire world.

Jesus’ prayer was simple, “Thy will be done.” He fulfilled the will of the Father in His coming into this world, in His life, in His suffering, in His death and resurrection. He will perfect His will in your life as well. That is His promise to you this day.

Lord, hear the prayers of your people. May we who celebrate the birth of your Son as man rejoice in the gift of eternal life when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [2]

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[1] The Visitation, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for Thursday of the week of Advent 4, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Wednesday prior to Advent 4

[1]

Micah 5:2–5a—Seven hundred years before the birth of our Lord, the prophet Micah was sent by God to rebuke the people for their idolatry and prophesy about the coming Christ. Here, he tells where the Savior is to be born: Bethlehem, the city of David (who was from the clan of Ephrathah). In his Gospel, St Matthew cites this prophecy as fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

The Scriptures is clear, “Out of Bethlehem a ruler will come.” The hymn writer put it this way, “O little town of Bethlehem…” A small, insignificant, tiny, town. Hardly anyone had heard of the place that is precisely where the Father determined that the Savior would be born. Not Jerusalem, not Bethel, not any of the other holy sites and cities. It was in the city of David, overlooked by all the experts, but the very place that he Father determined for the Savior to be born.

Out of Bethlehem will come a ruler who will be great in the world. Everything that the Father determined world to perfection. He will not leave anything to chance. The Father determined the very place where the Savior was to be born.

The will of the Father for your life is also determined by the testimony of His word. Trust that He has worked every single detail. The people, the place were all determined; your life is not life to chance. God has determined that His will shall be worked in your life. Trust His promises.

God of love and mercy, help us to follow the example of Mary, always ready to do your will. At the message of an angel she welcomed your eternal Son and, filled with the light of your Spirit, she became the temple of your Word, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. [2]

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[1] The Visitation, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for Wednesday of the Week of Advent 4, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. 1 © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

 

Tuesday prior to Advent 4

[1]

Psalm 80:1–7—Restoring Israel: The Sheep and Vineyard of the LORD

This psalm is titled To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. As with Psalms 45, 60 and 69, this psalm is set to “The Lilies.” The phrase may refer to the general beauty of the composition, to the tune, or even to a six-stringed instrument known as the Shoshannim (the literal translation of the Hebrew).

As with several of the Asaph psalms, this one is often attributed to a later Asaph. “Here not only the southern kingdom but also the northern kingdom – it calls God the ‘Shepherd of Israel’ and speaks of Ephraim and Manasseh, two of the major northern tribes – and since it asks for Israel’s deliverance, it is best seen as a plea for the deliverance of the northern kingdom sometime before its fall to the Assyrian armies in 721 B.C.” (James Montgomery Boice)[2]

Twice in this section (and thrice in the entire psalm), the refrain beseeches the Lord, Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we | may be saved! The immediate context of the psalm was the dark days which had fallen upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the people and her kings having forsaken the true God and lapsed into idolatry. For us, the darkness is that of sin, which we desire to be put away and atoned for. Such has been accomplished for us by the Savior of the world, God in man made manifest to us: Jesus Christ. He has saved and restored us.

Collect for Psalm 80: Lord God, you so tend the vine you planted that now it extends its branches even to the farthest shore. Keep us in your Son as branches on the vine, that, rooted firmly in your love, we may testify before the whole world to your great power working everywhere; through Jesus Christ our Lord .[3]

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[1] The Visitation, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-80/

[3] Collect for Psalm 80, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

 

Monday prior to Advent 4

[1]

 1 Samuel 2:1b, 2, 5b–7; Antiphon, Luke 1:46b–47—As the birth of our Lord draws near, the sense of anticipation and expectation is heightened. The antiphon is taken from the Magnificat, the song of the blessed Virgin when she visited and was blessed by Elizabeth, and the as-yet-unborn John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb in joy of being in his Savior’s presence. The entire antiphon looks forward to the salvation of the Lord, the salvation made concrete when the Son of God assumed flesh, and the salvation which was accomplished when He died on the cross. By His death and resurrection, He has brought us to life, made us rich, and exalted us.

The theme for the Fourth Sunday in Advent is How God Sent His Son. Next Sunday, we turn our attention toward the Nativity of Our Lord. With Mary we await the coming of the Christ, her Son, conceived in her womb by the Word and Spirit of God. As the Lord dealt graciously with her and did great things for her (Luke 1:48–49), so also he manifests Himself and His glory to us in mercy and gentleness. He comes to rule His people in peace, to “shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord.” He comes forth not from the great capital city of Jerusalem, but from lowly little Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, 4). He comes to sacrifice Himself, in fulfillment of His Father’s will, for the salvation and sanctification of His people (Hebrews 10:10). He who once visited Elizabeth while hidden in the womb of Mary (Luke 1:39–45), now comes to visit us today, hidden in the lowliness of simple water, bread and wine.

Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Advent: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [2]-

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[1] The Visitation, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for Advent 4, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT – Series C study notes

 

Micah 5:2–5a
Hebrews 10:5–10
Luke 1:39–45 (46–56)

The Lord Comes to Visit Us in Peace

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; 

The Fourth Sunday in Advent turns our attention toward the Nativity of Our Lord. With Mary we await the coming of the Christ, her Son, conceived in her womb by the Spirit of God. As the Lord dealt graciously with her and did great things for her (Luke 1:48–49), so also He manifests Himself and His glory to us in mercy and gentleness. He comes to rule His people in peace, to “shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord.” He comes forth not from the great capital city of Rome or Jerusalem, but from lowly little Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, 4). He comes to sacrifice Himself, in fulfillment of His Father’s will, for the salvation and sanctification of His people (Hebrews 10:10). He who once visited Elizabeth while hidden in the womb of Mary (Luke 1:39–45), now comes to visit us today, hidden in the lowliness of simple water, bread and wine.

Luke 1:39 – 

Ἀναστᾶσα δὲ Μαριὰμ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις ἐπορεύθη εἰς τὴν ὀρεινὴν μετὰ σπουδῆς εἰς πόλιν Ἰούδα,

In the days(those days) of Mary and Elizabeth's pregnancy.  She goes in haste. 

The only action of Mary...everything else is Elizabeth. 

2 Samuel 6, The ark and Mary are met with shouts of joy..."how should the ark come to me?" says David. Both the ark and Mary stay three months...notice the parallelism...”Savior of the nations come.” 

Luke 1:40 –

καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον Ζαχαρίου καὶ ἠσπάσατο τὴν Ἐλισάβετ.  

she entered the house of Zachariah and greeted Elizabeth. 

A reversal? Shouldn't Elizabeth greet Mary?  See if there a Jewish greeting..."what is the news of the day?" 'When I heard the sound of your greeting...'

Luke 1:41 –

καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν [a]τὸν ἀσπασμὸν τῆς Μαρίας ἡ Ἐλισάβετ, ἐσκίρτησεν τὸ βρέφος ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐπλήσθη πνεύματος ἁγίου ἡ Ἐλισάβετ, 

when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting (it happened) the baby- brephos- (John) - leapt and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit...

at that moment she is inspired...we can trust her message. Specifically applied here, not universal.

Mary asks - "how shall this be?"

Zachariah asks - "how shall I know?" Wrong question...he looks for proof outside of the Word. 

Note: when Zachariah was to speak he should have spoken Aaron's benediction "the Lord bless...". Instead, he speaks, "blessed be the Lord..."

Luke 1:42 –

αὶ ἀνεφώνησεν [b]κραυγῇ μεγάλῃ καὶ εἶπεν· Εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξίν, καὶ εὐλογημένος ὁ καρπὸς τῆς κοιλίας σου.  

In a loud voice, my means of a great cry...“blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you bear."

she offers here a prayer...descriptive...objective, different then the beatitudes of Matthew 5. Completely passive. “You are blessed by God...”

Luke 1:43 –

καὶ πόθεν μοι τοῦτο ἵνα ἔλθῃ ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ κυρίου μου πρὸς [c]ἐμέ; 

why wherefore what do I owe this that am I favored that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 

The zygote is my Lord. 

John Jefferson Davis, in his book Evangelical Ethics, points out that the incarnation of Jesus Christ has an important role to play in affirming the value of human life (p. 158). He points out that the Creed places the beginning of the life of Christ not at birth but when “he was conceived by the Holy Spirit.” 

Likewise, he references Hebrews 2:17 which applies the efficacy of the incarnation to the fact that “in all things He had to be made like his brethren.” Many of the early Church fathers understood the significance of this in terms of their Christology. The early maxim was ‘whatever is not assumed is not healed.’ Thus, God became a zygote in order to heal all zygotes. God became an embryo to heal all embryos. God became a fetus to heal all fetuses. God took upon himself the entirety of human nature from conception on. God became human to heal humanity. Thus, abortion, at any stage of pregnancy, is an implicit attack on the incarnation.

Luke 1:44 – 

ἰδοὺ γὰρ ὡς ἐγένετο ἡ φωνὴ τοῦ ἀσπασμοῦ σου εἰς τὰ ὦτά μου, ἐσκίρτησεν [d]ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει τὸ βρέφος ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ μου.

as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 

Right now the Word reached my ear an event in time. 

Luke 1:45 –

καὶ μακαρία ἡ πιστεύσασα ὅτι ἔσται τελείωσις τοῖς λελαλημένοις αὐτῇ παρὰ κυρίου. 

blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will  happen, be fulfilled. 

Mary is blessed because she bears the Word and believes the Word. This is pro-formative speech. 

Humility is a subjective position not false degradation. Not looking to self. Forget self and receive what is given to you. 

How is she perceived?  The Pharisees would say to Jesus, "we were not conceived of fornication." – John 8:41

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

Saturday prior to Advent 3

[1]

The hymn of the day, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LSB 357), is an ancient hymn based upon seven even more ancient antiphons (called the ‘O’ Antiphons) which were used in the Office at Vespers (the evening office) during the last seven days of Advent. Each antiphon and each hymn stanza refers to a different title for Christ: Wisdom, Adonai (‘Lord’), Root (or Branch) of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring, King of Nations, Emmanuel (‘God with Us’).

‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ was originally written in Latin with a title of ‘Veni, Veni, Emmanuel’ (documents featuring the title and words date back to 1710).

The English translation of the Christmas carol came about in 1851 when priest and scholar John Mason Neale’s version featured in the pages of The Hymnal Noted – a key text in the history of hymns collected by hymnal documenter Thomas Helmore.

Neale also originated the words to ‘Good King Wenceslas’, making him officially one of history’s most festive clergymen.

What is ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ about?

Quite unusually for a Christmas carol still commonly performed, there are all sorts of arcane words and expressions littered throughout. This is perhaps because the strong roots of the Latin text come from the ‘O Antiphons’ (so-called because each one begins with an ‘O’), traditionally used during the last seven days of advent during the Roman Catholic Vespers service.

The distinctly biblical feel of the lyrics differ from the more overtly celebratory tone of most carols (there’s no herald angels harking nor flocks being watched by night, for example), and the actual nativity narrative doesn’t feature in any meaningful way.

The Emmanuel of the title refers to the Hebrew ‘Immanuel’ which appears in the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament more as a sign of God’s protection than an actual person, whereas in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament the name Emmanuel refers specifically to Jesus Christ.

Who wrote the music?

The haunting melody of ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ has its roots as far back as 15th Century France, with a sketchy-at-best history. It wasn’t until the 1960s musicologist Mary Berry (not that Mary Berry) sourced the 15th century manuscript that bore the tune’s building blocks, among many others used for processional chants for burials.

So the actual composer of the music for one of the world’s most popular carols is enigmatically anonymous. It was, however, the combination of the tune with John Mason Neale’s translation of the Latin text that began its life as a perennial festive favorite.

Today this ancient hymn has been given contemporary makeovers by artists as wide-ranging as big-voiced pop sensation Kelly Clarkson, punk legends Bad Religion and winsome indie band Belle and Sebastian.

In the classical world, you’ll also hear the strains of the ancient melody in Ottorino Respighi’s Trittico Botticelliano, and also in Zoltán Kodály’s ‘Adventi ének’, complete with Latin and Hungarian lyrics. [2]

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[1] Advent, copyright © #d Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/lyrics-o-come-o-come-emmanuel-origins/

 

Friday prior to Advent 3

[1]

Luke 7:18–28—‘Is Jesus the long-expected Messiah and Savior?’ ask John’s disciples. What do you see? The blind see, the lame walk…the dead are raised, and so on. Only God can do this, foreshadowing the restoration of fallen creation, which will be completed at the Second Coming of Christ. In the meantime, we who are spiritually poor have the Good News of the forgiveness of sins preached to us. Jesus Christ is the promised One, who by His death has healed us of the disease of iniquity and has raised us to life, who were dead in our trespasses and sins.

General Custer had just set his camp around little big horn. He sends out his scout to get a lay of the land. A few hours later the scout returns. “I’ve good news and bad news” says the scout.

“Well, let’s hear the bad news first.” Says Custer

“There are 100,000 hostile Indians who have surrounded us. We’re completely cut off. They attack at dawn. We won’t make it out of her alive!”

“Well, if that’s the bad news what’s the good news?” replied Custer

Said the scout, “Well, the way I see it, at least we won’t have to go back through Nebraska!”

During this Advent season; we recall Christ’s first coming as we anticipate Christ’s final return. Once he came as an infant. When he returns He will be our judge and king. The bad news will continue to be that Christ is serious about sin and will return to judge the world. The good news is that we have already been declared righteous through the Savior’s baptism; a baptism of fire with the Holy Spirit. That fire has burned our sin and refined our faith so that no impurity remains. When He returns He will find you blameless as His Holy Spirit seals you in faith.

Put another way; the bad news – you’re a sinner – “consider yourself dead to sin.”

The good news- you’re a redeemed child of God, “consider yourself alive in Christ” by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Today walk in that newness of life the Savior bestows on you.

 

Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent—Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [2]

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[1] Advent, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Collect for Advent 3, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Thursday prior to Advent 3

[1]

Philippians 4:4–7—Rejoice in the Lord always, says St Paul. Why? Jesus Christ, by His death and resurrection, has taken away the reproach of God for sin.

We are now at peace with God, peace that surpasses all our understanding, for we can never fully understand the mystery of God assuming flesh, becoming sin for us, and dying to redeem us from the curse of our sin. We can only rejoice in the Lord that He has done so because of His grace and mercy.

Jesus is for those who feel weak. They look at their lives and see failure. Their sins rise up against them in a flood of accusations. Jesus comes for people whose faith is battered and weak. He comes for those who want to enjoy Christmas cheer and join in the holiday celebrations, but often feel less than joyous this time of year, so they feel back about that, too, wondering is Scrooge wasn’t right after all.

To these people comes the Child of Bethlehem. He gives them what they need. He is not content to make them “feel” good. Soothing words are not His to give. Sentimental tripe never comes from His lip0s.l For He is a real Savior who saves real sinner. He didn’t come into this world to be cute and adored. He came to us to be abandoned. He was born to die, not a noble death applauded by the religious, but a death of loneliness engulfed in scorn and shame. And that miserable death saved us. For it was our sin which He took away. The reason for our rejoicing is that we focus our rejoicing in our Savior the Lord Jesus.

A prayer of praise and supplication: Lord God, creator of heaven and earth, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we praise You for the abundant mercy that You this day so richly have provided for us, blessing us not only with daily bread for our bodies but also with heavenly food for our souls. Grant that Your living and powerful Word may abide in our hearts, working mightily in us to Your glory and for our salvation. We commit ourselves to Your divine protection and fatherly care. Let Your holy angels be with us that the evil foe may have no power over us. Look in mercy on Your Church and deliver it from all danger and adversities. By Your Holy Spirit comfort and strengthen all who are in affliction or distress, and grant Your abiding peace to us all; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

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[1] Advent, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things