Wednesday Prior to Christmas 2

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The back story concerning our reading for today is as follows:

Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh King of Egypt, and married Pharaoh’s daughter: Marriage to fellow royalty was a common political strategy in the ancient world, and continues to the modern age. It was not only because royalty wanted to marry other royalty, but also because conflict between nations was then avoided for the sake of family ties.

This was not Solomon’s first marriage. 1 Kings 14:21 tells us that his son Rehoboam came to the throne when he was 41 years old, and 1 Kings 11:42 tells us that Solomon reigned 40 years. This means that Rehoboam was born to his mother, a wife of Solomon named Naamah the Amonitess, before he came to the throne and before he married this daughter of Pharaoh.

Solomon’s multiple marriages, and marriages to foreign women, would cause great disaster in his life. Later in the Book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah was angry and frustrated because the people of Israel married with the pagan nations around them. In rebuking the guilty, Nehemiah remembered Solomon’s bad example: So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin. Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?” (Nehemiah 13:25-27).

The foreign wives made Solomon more than a bad example – they ruined his spiritual life. But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites; from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David (1 Kings 11:1-4).

1 Kings 11:4 says this only happened when Solomon was old, but the pattern was set with this first marriage to the Egyptian princess. It perhaps made political sense, but not spiritual sense. “Such arranged marriages were a common confirmation of international treaties, but this one was the beginning of Solomon’s spiritual downfall”

2 Samuel 3:3 tells us that David married the daughter of a foreign king: Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. Marrying a foreign woman was not against the Law of Moses – if she became a convert to the God of Israel. What did not ruin David did ruin Solomon.[2]

1 Kings 3:4-15— As King Solomon begins his rule over Israel, he asks the Lord for an understanding heart. He could have asked for anything and received it, yet as he begins his reign as king he asks the Lord for discretion and discernment. See how the Lord responds in verse 13, “I will give you what you have not asked for.” See Jesus’ promise in Luke 12:31

The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream: This remarkable visitation from God happened in a dream. This is one of the more significant dreams in the Bible.

Ask! What shall I give you. This was an amazing promise. God seemed to offer Solomon whatever he wanted. This wasn’t only because Solomon sacrificed 1,000 animals; it was because his heart was surrendered to God, and God wanted to work something in Solomon through this offer and his response.

The natural reaction to reading this promise of God to Solomon is to wish we had such a promise. We do have them.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14)

You have shown great mercy Before responding to God’s offer and asking for something, Solomon remembered God’s faithfulness to both David and now to Solomon himself.

But I am a little child Solomon was not really the age of a child. He came to God in great humility, especially considering the job in front of him.

“The statement is actually Solomon’s poetic way of expressing his inadequacies as he faced the awesome tasks of leadership.”

Solomon didn’t have the false humility that said, “I can’t do this, so I won’t even try.” His attitude was, “The job is so much bigger than me; I must rely on God.”

Give to Your servant an understanding heart. Solomon asked for more than great knowledge; he wanted understanding, and he wanted it in his heart, not merely in his head. Actually, the ancient Hebrew word translated understanding is literally, “hearing.” Solomon wanted a hearing heart, one that would listen to God.

In Ephesians 1:18, the Apostle Paul prayed for Christians, asking that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.

To judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. Solomon already understood that a key component of leadership is wise and just discernment. Many leaders do not have this discernment or the courage to use it. 2

Prayers for a New Year–O Lord Christ, our Savior dear, Be Thou ever near us. Grant us now a glad new year. Amen. Jesus hear us!

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 we pray. [3]

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[1] Jesus in the Temple, Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-kings-3/

[3] Prayers for a New Year, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

New Year’s Eve (December 31)

 

Isaiah 30:[8–14] 15–17

Romans 8:31b–39

Luke 12:35–40

Our Times Are in His Hands

The Church and the world are awake, but for very different reasons. The world counts down to midnight; the Church watches eagerly for her Master who is “coming at an hour” we “do not expect” (Luke 12:40). For many, the changing year brings regrets, fears, and desperate wishes for improvement. The world delights in smooth talk and illusions of prosperity at any cost (Is. 30:9–10). It has already forgotten “the Holy One of Israel” born six days earlier (Is. 30:11). The Church ends the calendar year differently. “In returning and rest. . . in quietness and in trust,” that is, in repentance and faith, for the Holy One saves us, and He is our strength (Is. 30:15). Our times are in His hands (Ps. 31:15), the hands of Mary’s Son—God not only with us, but for us (Matt. 1:23). So, who could be against us? If God has given His Son, “how will He not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31–32). The Church dresses for action not in fear, but in hope; Christ is coming to serve her with His gifts (Luke 12:37). Who is there to condemn us for the passing year? Christ has died, is raised, and intercedes for us! What distress will the new year bring? Nothing “can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:34–39)!

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship 

Tuesday Prior to Christmas 2

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Psalm 119:97-104—This section of Psalm 119 is dedicated to the Hebrew letter “Mem.” Meditating on God’s revelation yields the highest wisdom. As we meditate on the Lord’s words and promises we grow into a deeper understanding of the Lord.  Are you thinking of making a New Year’s resolution? Will you keep it? The Lord always keeps His promises. He has bound Himself to His Word.

In 1969, the iconic children’s educational television production Sesame Street launched its fast-paced programming. Each weekday morning the show was “brought to you by the letters…and the number” Its bold colors and targeted content changed the way that media has addressed young children over the ensuing 50 years.

Psalm 119:97-104 is “brought to us by the letter mem, and the number 13.” Mem is the 13th letter of the Hebrew alphabet in this dynamic acrostic poem from the book of Psalms. Mem maps to the sound of our letter M and it frames the words used in this particular stanza of the Psalm.

The passion and enthusiasm of this particular portion of the longest chapter of the Bible is almost Sesame Street-like, presented at a fast pace in bold and colorful language. “Oh! How I love your law!” To the moon and back…Then, for several verses, the author proceeds to link the law to what it does for the self in rather grandiose and childlike terms: it makes me wiser than my enemies, smarter than my teachers, better than my elders. I am super charged to keep myself from every evil way; and later, the law is represented as ancient candy for the soul—sweeter than honey. Yum! What kid wouldn’t choose sweetness over substance?

Removed from the context of the rest of the chapter, a background knowledge of Torah, and the second line of each couplet in those verses, one could be tempted to believe that keeping the law is at best a rapid-fire shortcut to superiority or at worst an invitation to ethical egoism (I should follow God’s ways because I like it and because it’s good—FOR ME!).

Isn’t that the temptation of the human condition? To skim across the top? To choose the parts that make us look powerful and to leave out parts like the hard work of deep meditation on the ways of God? We seek out the parts that sound scrumptious as the sound of the letter MMMMMM. The temptation to play superficially with Scripture is essentially the strategy used by Satan when he attempted to lure Jesus away from his purpose by tempting him to use Scripture for selfish ends (Matthew 4). And we dare not take the bait!

From the perspective of someone who has spent much energy in ministry considering the spiritual formation of children, I am grateful that Scripture speaks on so many different levels throughout our ages and stages. There is a time in the development of every Christian that we need to see “what’s in it for me.” But if we are to live a life of rich and deep faith, we cannot stay there in the ego driven space of childhood. To use the structure of the poetry and the “brought to you by” language of Sesame Street, we have to move from single letter faith into the world of words, and from isolated words to reading the bigger story. If the images of this Psalm are to be believed, engagement in Scripture is continuous and life consuming, and moves us ever deeper into living out God’s story in our world.

In vs. 97, the passionate embrace of the love of law is followed by the formative discipline of meditation—not the 1-minute breathing reminders that pop up on our Apple watches, but an all-day long awareness that Scripture must infuse our every thought and act. Our relationship to God as understood through Scripture literally becomes our life’s breath and changes the way we breathe though our days—our work, our stress, our joy, our recreation. We are brought to life through the breath of God in our nostrils and we bring God’s life to others as we engage in the living and active process of submission to God’s will as revealed through Scripture. It is not enough to have a God-moment or a cursory read over the verse of the day. We live meditatively, allowing ourselves to be shaped and formed by the law of the Lord in each moment, not a moment.

In vs. 98, being “wiser than my enemies” is likewise paired with active engagement with the law as we face those enemies not on our own, but with the resource of God’s illumination of the Scriptural record that lead us to the heart of God. We know how to deal with the enemies of our souls because God teaches us how to do so. There is a qualitative difference in how the Spirit-led, Scripture-guided believer deals with conflict and life challenges—or there can be—because we are not left to our own myopic perspectives.

In vs. 99, commentators differ in how the Psalmist might have “more understanding than teachers” (an apparent disrespect for the office of teacher so intolerable that Jewish translations of the passage offer an alternative interpretation of the Psalmist’s assertion). Some commentators postulate that the teachers referred to were apostate and not worthy of deference. Others say these were teachers of ancient wisdom who did not represent Jewish tradition, but contributed to a royal education for political purposes. I wonder if the Psalmist refers to teachers of the law who had simply become so numb to the routines of teaching that they no longer felt the passion and commitment the Psalmist experienced. Regardless, this verse makes clear that practicing an integrated application of the word of God leads to deep understanding.  Nothing less. We can’t merely grasp at objective knowledge rained down on us from an external source. It isn’t enough to know it for the test. We must be people who practice what we’ve been privileged to learn. Only then can we have true understanding of what we have been taught.

Verse 100 makes clear that neither time nor natural developmental progress can substitute for the hard work of practicing what we’ve learned or are learning. While traditional authority figures may be worthy of respect, there is no “glass ceiling” that can oppress the one who seeks God, and there is no age barrier to receiving God’s blessing.

A deep understanding of the ways of God requires the positive action of attending to and applying God’s law with intentionality as seen in the previous verses, but it also requires removing oneself from evil ways and not turning away from the truth God has revealed (vss. 101-102). This demonstrates the mutuality of the way of affirmation and the way of negation in our spiritual formation. We are called to both affirm the significance of the biblical way and to avoid those things which interfere with appreciation of the biblical way. Both leaning in and walking away are meaningful ways of allowing the word of God to dwell richly within us, and both paths together invite God to speak to every aspect of our being and behaving.

The passage concludes by circling back to the love expressed in verse 97. It engages language that is strikingly similar to Solomon’s appreciation of his bride in Song of Songs 4:11. The imagery of sweet honey reminds us that deep engagement with God’s story is not to be dreaded, even if it is demanding and requires that we become different in multiple steps along the way. The journey is filled with pleasure to the senses and to the soul. But it is a story of both passionate love and diligent marriage. The contrast of love for God’s truth in the beginning of the passage and hatred for false promises of wisdom and understanding at the end are a powerful invitation to choose well between deep love and hope-filled promises.

This passage is quite far from the braggart’s stanza of Psalm 119, though it might appear to be ego driven at first glance. The passage actually reveals the passion of a poet who is committed with nearly childlike enthusiasm to a deep relationship with God through Scripture and who is unafraid of making bold claims about the benefits of who he is becoming through that interactive process. [2]

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 sake of Jesus our Lord.

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[1] Jesus in the Temple, Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

[2] http://www.aplainaccount.org/psalm-11997-104/ 

 

Monday Prior to Christmas 2

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Psalm 147:1, 5, 11-12 - The Antiphon, is taken from John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory the glory of the One and only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — During this season of Christmas we see the full impact of Christ’s coming into this world. The Word existed before He became a man. Yet He comes to make His dwelling with us. He literally “tabernacles” with us. In Exodus 40:34-35 the Tent of Meeting was filled with the glory of God. Now He comes to dwell with us.

This Psalm is another of the last five psalms that have no title in the Hebrew text, but each of these last five begins and ends with Hallelujah or Praise the LORD!

A. Praising God for His protection and preservation.

1. (1) The goodness of hallelujah.

Praise the LORD!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

a. Praise the LORD: These words are both a declaration and an encouragement of praise to Yahweh. We are encouraged to praise Yahweh with the psalmist.

i. “There is no heaven, either in this world, or the world to come, for people who do not praise God. If you do not enter into the spirit and worship of heaven, how should the spirit and joy of heaven enter into you?”

b. It is good to sing praises to our God: It was right for the psalmist to tell himself and others to praise the LORD, and he assumed that God’s people would do it with singing. The goodness of praise comes from the truth that it is, in itself, pleasant and beautiful.

i. Psalm 33:1 says praise from the upright is beautiful. True praise is beautiful to God, to His people as a community, and to the individual worshipper.

ii. Praise is pleasant and beautiful for humanity. “It is decent, befitting, and proper that every intelligent creature should acknowledge the Supreme Being: and as he does nothing but good to the children of men, so they should speak good of his name.” (Clarke)

iii. Since praise is beautiful, “…an unthankful man is an ugly, ill-favored spectacle.”[2]

Because of the calendar, Christmas 2 is not often observed. By the second Sunday after Christmas many of the decorations are already down, the festivities are over, the gifts have been put away, and Christmas is over and almost forgotten. Now that the hub-bub is over, we can get down to a serious consideration of the meaning of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. In Christ God blesses us with spiritual blessings and has made us sons and daughters through grace. We pray for wisdom as we enter a new year. The Savior entered time and space at Christmas. He will continue to guide our path and direct our steps throughout this New Year.  Thus we are moved to pray, “Almighty God, You have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of our faith shine in all that we do.”

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[1] Jesus in the Temple, Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-147/ 

 

Christmas 2 Series C study notes

 

Luke 2:40-52

The Day Jesus went missing

The story of Jesus’ absence is different in a number of significant ways.

First, let us remember that this is the only inspired, biblically recorded incident in the youthful years of our Lord. Matthew records the incident of the magi and the attempt of Herod to kill the baby Jesus, and the flight to Egypt, but other than this incident there is no other biblical record of any incident in the growing up years of Jesus. It must be that Luke felt this story was very important indeed, to be the only childhood incident reported in his gospel.

Second, in this account are recorded the very first words of our Lord Jesus. No words were recorded from the birth and infancy of Christ. Many of our Lord’s words were recorded from His later ministry. But the words of our Lord in this text are His first recorded words. And very important words they are indeed.

Third, this is the last time Joseph is ever mentioned in the life of our Lord. It is commonly felt that Joseph must have died sometime after this incident, before our Lord began His public ministry. It may well be that this last mention of Joseph is also a clue to the importance of our text, and of the incident it records.

O God, our Maker and Redeemer, who wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature, grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Last Sunday we ended with verse 40 of Luke’s presentation of the early life of Jesus. “And the child grew and became strong in Spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.” Fast-forward twelve years. Jesus makes a return trip. To Jerusalem. To the temple. To listen to the scribes and the Elders. And to ask questions. This is His habit. This is His method of operation. That is His MO, His Modus operandi. His profile. There is nothing strange or odd in Jesus’ behavior.  We should not be surprised.

There are 41 events in the Gospels where the words amazed and astonished are used to describe people’s reaction to Jesus; where the people were either amazed or astonished in meetings Jesus. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

This is the only boyhood story about Jesus. In this snapshot of Jesus’ life we hear how the scribes, the teachers and other the people present were AMAZED at his understanding of scripture. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

According to Luke, the boy Jesus ends up in the temple instead of heading home with his family after the Passover. When do parents start seriously thinking about getting their child a cell phone? At around the age of twelve. Because at the age of twelve, thirteen and fourteen kids begin hanging out together. Anyone who has lived with a twelve- year- old can related to this story. It could have happened today just as it did two thousand years ago.

Mary and Joseph assumed Jesus was with his friends. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. (Vv.44-45)What they found was a pattern of growth that is necessary for us today.

Today is the first Sunday of a New Year.  Many make New Year’s resolutions. Today’s reading makes a perfect resolution for us as a  family. Make this resolve…

1. That we might be regular in our worship attendance. “They found Him in the emple, sitting in the midst of the teacher both listening to them and asking them questions.” – Luke 2:46

A. The trip to the temple in Jerusalem was for Jesus an annual event.  “Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.”

B. Nothing would distract Him. His focus was complete. Mary and Joseph were frantic. Jesus was so focused that He lost all track of time. "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

2. That we might grow.

A. “And the child grew and became strong in Spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.” – Luke 2:40Jesus’ life was one of growth through submission, the ultimate example of losing your life only to find it.  

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and statute and in favor of God and men.” – Luke 2:52We just aren’t good at seeing those growth opportunities, but the Father loves us anyway. Christ loved you enough to submit to the cross. Jesus submitted where you could no. He is the one directing growth from the right hand of the Father.

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (December 28)

Jeremiah 31:15–17

Revelation 14:1–5

Matthew 2:13–18

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children” (Jer. 31:15). Herod rages and sends to kill all boys two years and younger (Matt. 2:16), desperate to destroy the newborn King of kings. The Church remembers these innocent victims as martyrs. They died for the One who came to die for them. This dark commemoration bears witness to the cruelty of sinful men and the world’s hatred of Christ who has sanctified our fragile life even from His conception and birth. But the boy who escaped Bethlehem’s bloody streets unscathed went on to face thorns, nails and spear for them and for us. He is the Lamb whose name is written with the Father’s name on the foreheads of His baptized saints (Rev. 14:1). By His death He has redeemed an inheritance for Himself and brought peace at last by His blood. On the fourth day of Christmas, we sing “the new song” of the Lamb, of Christ the true martyr, whose death testifies that our redemption is won. We “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Rev. 14:4), for He will bring our tears to an end.

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summery copyright LCMS commission on worship

 

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (December 27)

 Revelation 1:1–6
1 John 1:1–2:2
John 21:10–25

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

St. John the Evangelist put Christmas in one verse: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Not martyred but still a witness, John was exiled to Patmos and died an old man, according to tradition. He bore witness “to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw” (Rev. 1:2). Above all, he was an eyewitness of Christ who proclaims to us what he saw and heard concerning the “Word of Life” that was “made manifest” (1 John 1:1–3). “And we know that his testimony is true” (John 21:24). The readings today include John’s testimony of Christ’s atoning death and His third resurrection appearance (John 21:14). On the third day of Christmas, we find joy and gladness with John and all the apostles that “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,” who is “the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1–2).

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summery copyright LCMS commission on worship

Friday prior to Christmas 1

[1]

John 1:1-14 There is a person who knows and understands you. His name is Jesus Christ. We need to remember, especially today, that there was a nativity.  Jesus entered time and space to be human just like you.

In that manger, the Son of God didn’t just insert Himself into human activities. He inserted Himself in the grittiness of human flesh. He was also a person who knew pain and anger. He became angry Himself on occasions, and ultimately was the victim of anger. This life that you live; your struggles, your anger, your weakness, your woes, your sorrows - your Lord knows all. Even your joys exactly. Because He became a man.

The coming of Jesus into our world changes everything. For we do not have a God who was too proud to know His people. Or, a God content to rule from a great distance. Or, a God whose majesty was too awesome for us to behold. We have just the opposite. Jesus the son of Mary and Joseph experienced the very same humanity, the very same problems, and the very same challenges that we do.

No, you do not walk this road alone. Jesus is the God who came down from heaven. He was that man. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. –Isaiah 53:3-5

We are living in a broken world outside of Eden. We live in a world filled with disappointment, wounds and loss. Today, show your scars to Jesus and He will show you His. He will take your scarred heart in his scarred hands and love you, and love you, and love you still more; until all that matters is not the scar upon your heart, but the scar embedded in His hand.

Into Your hands oh merciful Savior I commend myself and all for whom I pray. I trust in You no matter how dark my road. –

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[1] Joy to the World, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

 

St. Stephen, Martyr (December 26)

 2 Chronicles 24:17–22
Acts 6:8–7:2a, 51–60
Matthew 22:34–39

St. Stephen, Martyr

The Christ is born in the land of Judah, but His own people will not receive Him. As it was in the days of Joash, so it is also in the days of Herod and Pilate. The Lord “sent prophets among them to bring them back to the Lord. . . but they would not pay attention” (2 Chron. 24:19). As Zechariah was being stoned he cried out, “May the Lord see and avenge!” (2 Chron. 24:-22). But the infant Jesus has come to save and to forgive. Today, the Church remembers St. Stephen, the first martyr after Christ’s ascension. His confession recalled the stiff-necked, uncircumcised hearts and ears of Judah that would not receive the Righteous One (Acts 7:51–52). But as his body was being stoned and his spirit received by the Lord Jesus, Stephen cried, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:59–60), bearing witness to the One who also said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). On the second day of Christmas, our thoughts are already directed to Christ’s atoning death to save rebels like us, and to the vision Stephen saw: Heaven is open to us, Christ is reigning at God’s right hand, and no sin, death, or foe can stop Him.

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship 

Thursday prior to Christmas 1

[1]

Hebrews 1:1-6 The child in the manger, born of the Mary, is the very Word of God, the only-begotten Son of the Father, “whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom He also created the world.” (Hebrews 1:2) As “all things were made through Him” (John 1:3), so are all things redeemed and made new in Him.

Jesus is not a mere prophet — he is a Son, and as a Son he has a complete revelation of what the Father wants to reveal. This is definitive. The prophets could only dimly foresee the day of Jesus Christ, but he is the fulfillment of what they said. God has spoken to us in his Son.

How great is he? Verse 2 tells us that the Father appointed him “heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.” Jesus was appointed heir even before anything existed. He is the Creator and the owner of the universe.

Not only that, “He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.” (verse 3) When we look at Jesus, we see God’s glory, and he is the exact representation of his nature, and he is so powerful that he can sustain the universe simply by speaking a word. He spoke the world into existence. By that same word he creates faith in you.

In his body of flesh and blood, we behold “the radiance of the glory of God.” He dwells among us in peace, that we might have life and light and salvation in Him. For by His Word of the Gospel, we are born again as the children of God, bearing His name and sharing His eternal life.

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high – Hebrews 1:3

Loving Lord I am filled with awe and wonder that You should love me and die for me. I am not worthy to gather the crumbs from underneath Your table – but You have redeemed me from death and hell with Your own precious blood. I am filled with awe and wonder and praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy. May I glorify Your name forever.[2] 

 

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[1] Joy to the World, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Hebrews/1

 

Christmas Reflection

Law/Gospel Theme: Jesus was born as the fulfillment of God’s promises to us. This Savior was sent to live and die so that we may be restored to the Father. Just as the angels announced His coming and His birth, we should be excited to announce who Jesus is and what He has done for us.      

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: # 63 O Come All Ye Faithful

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.

Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing, which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying, and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. (KJV)

Hymn: # 66 O Little Town of Bethlehem

Out in the fields. A group of shepherds stood guard over their flock that night. Such flocks were always needed for the sacrifices of the Temple at Jerusalem. A mere six miles away. Informed of the birth by an angel. The shepherds went to Bethlehem. They found the babe. Wrapped in swaddling clothes. Lying in a manger. And they repeated the message they had received. For some. The shepherds’ words were a passing wonder, “but Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19).

By faith we journey with them to Bethlehem. For this good news of Jesus’ birth was given by the angel to shepherds who went to see the new- born king.

With the shepherds we visit the new-born king. The shepherds were keeping watch. To guard the flock against thieves and robbers. Into the night of the world Jesus came as the true Light. A symbol of this truth was the heavenly light.

A question. Why is it that so few experience the true joy of Christmas?

The answer. Is that they have not heard the good news. Told by the angel to these shepherds. It is told to you this day.

The source of our joy is found in these words: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”   Luke 2:11

Who is born? “To you is born this day a Savior.” This is good news. For those in need of a Savior. And when is He born? “This day!”

Christmas is an everyday experience. Not a historical observance. Of an ancient event. Today is the day of salvation. This is the day the Lord has made. Now He is making all things new.

“To you is born a Savior.” We now tell His story with joy.

Like the shepherds we share His story with others. The shepherds were afraid. In the face of the divine glory. And holiness. But they had no need to fear. Because the angel’s message was not judgment. But of salvation. Not only to the shepherds. But to all people.

To whom is He born? He is born “to you.” “To you is born this day a Savior.” It is not Christmas for you unless Christ is re-born in you. Thus we can say with the hymn writer: “Cans out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.”

 The Christmas story is for real. It was to real live humans that the story of the Christ child was delivered. The first announcement of this birth came to despised people. It came not to the rulers. The educated. The scribes. Or the pious Pharisees. This news came not to the elite. But to shepherds. – The despised. Unlearned. Crude. Rough people. Those listed with publicans and sinners. For He is a real Savior. Who has come to save real sinners. In His birth. Suffering. Passion. Death and resurrection. There is forgiveness, salvation, and life.

Lord Jesus Thank you for coming to Earth for us.

Thank you for living and dying for our sins.

Please help us live in the joy of that understanding.

And help us to share the good news with others.

The Lord has given us one another and we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers for all especially 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.[1]

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

Image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

 

Christmas Day

[1]

O.T.: Isaiah 52:7–10 — Ep.: Hebrews 1:1–6 (7–12) — Gospel: John 1:1–14 (15–18)

The Living and Life-Giving Word of God Dwells Among Us in the Flesh

The Lord sends out His ministers of the Gospel to make disciples “of all the nations,” so that “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” The Lord has “bared His holy arm” in the incarnate Christ (Isaiah 52:7, 10). The child in the manger, born of the Mary, is the very Word of God, the only-begotten Son of the Father, “whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom He also created the world” (Hebrew 1:2). As “all things were made through Him” (John 1:3), so are all things redeemed and made new in Him. In his body of flesh and blood, we behold “the radiance of the glory of God” (Hebrews 1:3), “glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He dwells among us in peace, that we might have life and light and salvation in Him. For by His Word of the Gospel, we are born again as the children of God, bearing His name and sharing His eternal life. (In the picture, ὁλόγος is Greek for ‘the Word’).

Collect for Christmas Dawn: Most merciful God, You gave Your eternal Word to become incarnate of the pure Virgin. Grant Your people grace to put away fleshly lusts, that they may be ready for Your visitation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for Christmas Day: Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. – 25 December

Lectionary summaries from LCMS Commission on Worship

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[1] Joy to the World, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

 

Christmas Eve

[1]

Old Testament lesson: Isaiah 7:10–14 —

Epistle: 1 John 4:7–16 —

Gospel: Matthew 1:18–25-

The Word of the Lord Is Fulfilled in the Flesh of Jesus

Though Ahaz would not ask, the Lord gives a sign to the House of David, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). With this promise He signifies that salvation is by His grace alone; it is no work or achievement of man, but the Lord’s own work and His free gift. The promise is fulfilled as the Son of God is conceived and born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the sign is received in faith by the House of David in the person of  Joseph (Matthew 1:20–24). “Incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary.” (Nicene Creed)

God is with us (Immanuel) in the flesh of Jesus, Mary’s Son. Joseph believes that Word of God and so demonstrates a marvelous example in his immediate and quiet obedience, taking Mary to be his wife and caring for her in faith and love. He loves her because the love of God is manifest in this, that “the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world,” “to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9–12).[2]

Collect for Christmas Eve: O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Christmas Midnight: O God, You make this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that as we have known the mysteries of that Light on earth we may also come to the fullness of His joys in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[3] -24 December

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[1] Joy to the World, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Scriptural notes from the LCMS commission on Worship © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

[3] Collect for Christmas Eve and Christmas Midnight, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis