Thursday prior to Christmas 2

[1]

Ephesians 1:3–14—Even if we seem to be lacking in worldly wealth or wisdom, we are assured that we, the elect of God, have a treasure far greater than anything on earth. We have the salvation planned by in eternity by God and won in time by Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us with His blood and forgiven us of our trespasses. Furthermore, He has bestowed upon us His Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance until the Last Day, when all His promises will be fulfilled.

Adoption was not uncommon in antiquity. Among the elite it served the important function of allowing for an heir if one had no children, or if one’s children died. The adopted person (who could be a child or an adult) gained social status through association with the parent’s social status. In the same way a biological child would, the adopted child benefitted from the social and political connections of their parent. They also gained wealth through their inheritance. In return the adopted child honored the parent through taking the parent’s name and being loyal to them.

Similarly, adoption by God is a blessing for which the apostle Paul praises God. It is an action planned by God (vv. 5, 9, 10, 11) and also pleasing to God (“according to the good pleasure of his will,” v. 5). It results in the praise of God (vv. 6, 14) by the adopted ones, who have a share in an inheritance from God (v. 14).

The adoption indicated here is unique in that it is not the adoption of an individual but of a people. The language echoes the stories of God choosing Israel (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalm 135:4; Isaiah 41:8), and the purpose of being chosen for “redemption” (Ephesians 1:7, 14) evokes God’s release of Israel from slavery (e.g., Exodus 6:6). In addition, all of the relevant verbs and pronouns (we, us) in the passage are plural. Paul is not so much concerned with God’s relationship to individual believers as with the claim that God has chosen a people for God’s self.

The adoption of God’s people is part of a larger plan that has been established in the past and has both present and future effects. Already God has gifted the community with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. This is not simply a promise of future gifts to be experienced in heaven, but a present gift of spiritual blessings. Similarly, in Ephesians 1:14 the Gentiles are described as having been sealed with the Holy Spirit, likely a reference to baptism. The experience of transformation by the Spirit is “a down payment of our inheritance” (v. 14). Believers participate now in something that is a preview of the gifts that will be realized fully in the age to come.[2]

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us

[2] https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-15-2/commentary-on-ephesians-13-14-8

 

Wednesday prior to Christmas 2

[1]

1 Kings 3:4–15—In the tale of Aladdin’s lamp, Aladdin desires and receives great riches from the genie in the lamp. If you could have anything your heart desired, what would it be? Power? Wealth? Long life? Solomon humbly asked the LORD for wisdom to rule God’s people well. His request was granted, and Solomon became the wisest man ever to have lived. Because of his altruistically wise request, the LORD also gave Solomon what he did not ask for: great riches and honor, far beyond any other king.

We can benefit from Solomon’s wisdom in the books of Ecclesiastes and Proverbs. We can benefit from the wisdom of God in all 66 books of the Holy Bible.

This is the last day of an old year. A New Year will soon dawn. Many reflecting on the year past resolve to do something new; lose weight, drop a bad habit, start a new program. Sadly, within a few short days the New Year’s resolution is yesterday’s news and as for all those good intentions nothing really changes.

Solomon’s resolve is different. He asked the Lord for a descending heart. Each of us could benefit from godly discernment. May we be more keenly aware of the sensitivities of others, may we be quick to listen, slow to speak, with a discriminating and judicious; well judged mind.  James teaches, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” –James 1:19  

“Quick to listen” means that we train ourselves to wait for the whole story before diving in with our opinion. “Slow to speak” is the flip side of that. We control our words and don’t blurt out everything that comes into our heads. Solomon’s request stands as a guide as we close out one year looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that await us in the coming New Year.

Prayer for grace to receive the Word: Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with Your and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us

[2] Collect for grace to receive God’s Word, 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)!

Sources:

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship

Tuesday prior to Christmas 2

[1]

Psalm 119:97–104—Psalm 119 is an example of Hebrew poetry, which is different than English poetry. First, the psalm is an acrostic: that is, every line of each section starts with the same Hebrew letter, in this case ‘mem’ (מ). Another characteristic of Hebrew poetry is parallelism, where the two halves of each line complement each other in some way. Here, we see that the second half of each line serves to amplify the thought in the first half. The psalmist proclaims that the Word of God is the source of wisdom; it rewards the one who meditates on it by making him wiser than my enemies and having more understanding than all my teachers. So, too, let us not fail to immerse ourselves in the study of God’s Word, for it is sweeter than honey to my mouth.

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 same of Jesus our Lord.

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us

 

Monday prior to Christmas 2

[1]

Psalm 147:1, 5, 11–12; Antiphon, John 1:14—The antiphon proclaims the mystery of the Incarnation: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. In the original Greek, the word ‘dwelt’ is derived from word for ‘tabernacle’. That is, the God who dwelt with His people in the tabernacle in the wilderness, who delivered them from bondage in Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land—He is the same God that assumed flesh and dwelt with us as the God-man Jesus Christ, the same one who delivered us from our bondage to sin, and will, at the Last Day, take us into our Promised Land, eternal life with Him in heaven.

As we prepare for Sunday worship we will see that The Lord Jesus Is Found in the Temple of His Church. “The Lord Jesus “grew and became strong” (Luke 2:40); He “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). As His body grew and developed, His mind also increased in knowledge and understanding. For as our brother in the flesh, that we might “have redemption through His blood” (Ephesians 1:7), He lived by faith in the Word of His Father. Thus, He was catechized by His parents, who took Him up “to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover” (Luke 2:41); and when He was of age, He gave attention to the Holy Scriptures in His Father’s house (Luke 2:46, 49). Christ Jesus is still found in His Church, in “the Word of truth, the Gospel,” by which we are adopted by His Father and sealed with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:5, 13). Thus do we gain “an understanding mind” to go about our vocations, discerning “between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). And so do we also go up to Jerusalem, to stand “before the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (1 Kings 3:15), that is, in the Holy Communion of His body and blood.

Collect for Psalm 147:  God our Father, great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem, you know the number of the stars and call each of them by name. Heal hearts that are broken, gather those who have been scattered, and enrich us all from the plenitude of your eternal wisdom, Jesus Christ our Lord.[2]

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[1] Jesus in the Temple Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational us

[2] Collect for Psalm 147, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church, The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 2006 Delhi, NY

 

Christmas 2 study notes

1 Kings 3:4–15
Ephesians 1:3–14
Luke 2:40–52

The Lord Jesus Is Found in the Temple of His Church

Almighty God, You have poured into our hearts the true Light of Your incarnate Word. Grant that this Light may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. 

The Lord Jesus “grew and became strong” (Luke 2:40); He “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). As His body grew and developed, His mind also increased in knowledge and understanding. For as our brother in the flesh, that we might “have redemption through his blood” (Ephesians 1:7), He lived by faith in the Word of His Father. Thus, He was catechized by His parents, who took Him up “to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover” (Luke 2:41); and when He was of age, He gave attention to the Holy Scriptures in His Father’s house (Luke 2:46, 49). Christ Jesus is still found in His Church, in “the word of truth, the gospel,” by which we are adopted by His Father and sealed with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:5, 13). Thus do we gain “an understanding mind” to go about our vocations, discerning “between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). And so do we also go up to Jerusalem to stand “before the ark of the covenant of the Lord” (1 Kings 3:15), that is, in the Holy Communion of His body and blood.

Luke 2:40

Τὸ δὲ παιδίον ηὔξανεν καὶ ἐκραταιοῦτο [a]πληρούμενον σοφίᾳ, καὶ χάρις θεοῦ ἦν ἐπ’ αὐτό.

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Luke 2:41

Καὶ ἐπορεύοντο οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ κατ’ ἔτος εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ τῇ ἑορτῇ τοῦ πάσχα.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 

Luke2:42

καὶ ὅτε ἐγένετο ἐτῶν δώδεκα, [b]ἀναβαινόντων [c]αὐτῶν κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἑορτῆς 

And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 

Luke 2:43

καὶ τελειωσάντων τὰς ἡμέρας, ἐν τῷ ὑποστρέφειν αὐτοὺς ὑπέμεινεν Ἰησοῦς ὁ παῖς ἐν Ἰερουσαλήμ, καὶ οὐκ [d]ἔγνωσαν οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ.

And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 

Luke 2:44 

νομίσαντες δὲ αὐτὸν [e]εἶναι ἐν τῇ συνοδίᾳ ἦλθον ἡμέρας ὁδὸν καὶ ἀνεζήτουν αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς συγγενεῦσιν [f]καὶ τοῖς γνωστοῖς,

but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

Luke 2:45

καὶ μὴ [g]εὑρόντες ὑπέστρεψαν εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ [h]ἀναζητοῦντες αὐτόν.

and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

Luke 2:46

καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ἡμέρας τρεῖς εὗρον αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καθεζόμενον ἐν μέσῳ τῶν διδασκάλων καὶ ἀκούοντα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπερωτῶντα αὐτούς·

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 

Luke 2:47

ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες οἱ ἀκούοντες αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῇ συνέσει καὶ ταῖς ἀποκρίσεσιν αὐτοῦ.

 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke 2:48

καὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐξεπλάγησαν, καὶ [i]εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ· Τέκνον, τί ἐποίησας ἡμῖν οὕτως; ἰδοὺ ὁ πατήρ σου καὶ ἐγὼ ὀδυνώμενοι [j]ἐζητοῦμέν σε.

And when his parents[a] saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

Luke 2:49

καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς· Τί ὅτι ἐζητεῖτέ με; οὐκ ᾔδειτε ὅτι ἐν τοῖς τοῦ πατρός μου δεῖ εἶναί με;

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”[b]  

Luke 2:50

καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐ συνῆκαν τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς. 

And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 

Luke 2:51

καὶ κατέβη μετ’ αὐτῶν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Ναζαρὲθ, καὶ ἦν ὑποτασσόμενος αὐτοῖς. καὶ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ διετήρει πάντα τὰ ῥήματα [k]ταῦτα ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς.

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:52

Καὶ Ἰησοῦς προέκοπτεν [l]σοφίᾳ καὶ ἡλικίᾳ καὶ χάριτι παρὰ θεῷ καὶ ἀνθρώποις.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature[c] and in favor with God and man.

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

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Image Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts “The Visit of the Magi” © WELS For personal or congregational use

LCMS lectionary summary series © 2016

 

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.

Sources:

Luther's Seal, copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary 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).

Sources:

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship 

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.

Sources:

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship 

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

 

Tuesday prior to Christmas

[1]

Psalm 2 The Psalm appointed for Christmas Day is Psalm 2. Compare and contrast the structure of Psalm 2 to that of Psalm 1.

Psalm 2 is the most frequently quoted psalm in the New Testament. It fits together in an interesting way with Psalm 1 to introduce the Book of Psalms. Psalm 1 begins with, “How blessed”; Psalm 2 ends with the same word (in Hebrew). Psalm 1 ends with a threat; Psalm 2 begins with a threat. In Psalm 1, the godly man meditates on God’s law; in Psalm 2, the wicked meditates (NASB = “devising,” NIV = “plot”; same Hebrew word) on how to cast off the rule of God. In Psalm 1 the theme is the contrast between the righteous and the wicked person; in Psalm 2 the theme is the contrast between the rebellion of wicked rulers and nations and the rule of God’s righteous Messiah. Psalm 1 consists of two stanzas and six verses. Psalm 2 is twice as long, consisting of four stanzas and 12 verses.[2]

The Psalm is appropriate for the celebration of Christmas as we see that the Lord’s Messiah will enter time and space to make all things right.

Even though the world scene looks as if God has been on an extended vacation, David shows us that the LORD’s plans have not failed and shall not fail. Everything is under His control. In the fullness of time; and exactly the right time Jesus entered time and space to be our Savior. Rest in His timing, be assured of His care for you.    

Collect for Psalm 2: Lord God, you gave the peoples of the world to be the inheritance of your Son; you crowned him as king of Zion, your holy city, and gave him your Church as his bride. As he proclaims the way of your eternal kingdom, may we serve him faithfully, and so know the royal power of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]

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

[2] https://bible.org/seriespage/psalm-2-world-out-control

[3] Collect for Psalm 2, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and By the Church, © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

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 a few days 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]

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[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 

 

Christmas 1Series A study notes

Isaiah 63:7–14
Galatians 4:4–7

Matthew 2:13–23

The Lord Jesus Undergoes a New Exodus in Order to Save His People from Their Sins

 

O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously resorted our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us.  

Herod’s efforts to destroy the little Lord Jesus anticipate the cross for which He was born. In response to Herod’s edict, Joseph must “take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt” (Matthew 2:13). But the Lord does not abandon the holy family there. He brings about salvation for all people, just as He “had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son’” (Matthew 2:15). With might and strength, God accompanies His people, causing “his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses” (Isaiah 63:12). Now through Jesus, even our afflictions are borne by Christ on the cross. “He redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them” (Isaiah 63:9). All of this is accomplished by God’s might so that we, too, are claimed as members of His family. For we “receive adoption as sons” in the only-begotten Son, Christ Jesus, even as He became like us by His conception and birth of the woman. Thus redeemed by Christ, no longer slaves of sin and death but beloved children and heirs of God, we pray in Jesus’ name: “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:4–6).

-Matthew 2:13-23

The Flight into Egypt 

Matthew 2:13

Ἀναχωρησάντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κυρίου [a]φαίνεται κατ’ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ λέγων· Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ φεῦγε εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ ἕως ἂν εἴπω σοι· μέλλει γὰρ Ἡρῴδης ζητεῖν τὸ παιδίον τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτό.  

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."

Matthew 2:14

ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς καὶ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον, 

And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt

Matthew 2:15

καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἕως τῆς τελευτῆς Ἡρῴδου· ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν [b]ὑπὸ κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· Ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἐκάλεσα τὸν υἱόν μου. 

and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Herod Kills the Children 

Matthew 2:16 

Τότε Ἡρῴδης ἰδὼν ὅτι ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν μάγων ἐθυμώθη λίαν, καὶ ἀποστείλας ἀνεῖλεν πάντας τοὺς παῖδας τοὺς ἐν Βηθλέεμ καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῆς ἀπὸ διετοῦς καὶ κατωτέρω, κατὰ τὸν χρόνον ὃν ἠκρίβωσεν παρὰ τῶν μάγων.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Matthew 2:17

τότε ἐπληρώθη τὸ ῥηθὲν [c]διὰ Ἰερεμίου τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος· 

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

Matthew 2:18 

Φωνὴ ἐν Ῥαμὰ [d]ἠκούσθη, κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὀδυρμὸς πολύς· Ῥαχὴλ κλαίουσα τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελεν παρακληθῆναι ὅτι οὐκ εἰσίν.

"A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more." 

Return to Nazareth 

Matthew 2:19 

Τελευτήσαντος δὲ τοῦ Ἡρῴδου ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κυρίου [e]φαίνεται κατ’ ὄναρ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ 

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Matthew 2:20

λέγων· Ἐγερθεὶς παράλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ πορεύου εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ, τεθνήκασιν γὰρ οἱ ζητοῦντες τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ παιδίου. 

saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."

Matthew 2:21

ὁ δὲ ἐγερθεὶς παρέλαβε τὸ παιδίον καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ [f]εἰσῆλθεν εἰς γῆν Ἰσραήλ.  

And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:22

ἀκούσας δὲ ὅτι Ἀρχέλαος [g]βασιλεύει τῆς Ἰουδαίας ἀντὶ [h]τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ Ἡρῴδου ἐφοβήθη ἐκεῖ ἀπελθεῖν· χρηματισθεὶς δὲ κατ’ ὄναρ ἀνεχώρησεν εἰς τὰ μέρη τῆς Γαλιλαίας, 

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.

Matthew 2:23

καὶ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς πόλιν λεγομένην Ναζαρέτ, ὅπως πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν διὰ τῶν προφητῶν ὅτι Ναζωραῖος κληθήσεται. 

And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. -

A true friend of children is one who...

1. Is open to God's guidance - v13, Vv.19-20 

2. Is aware of the worlds threats - V.21 

3. Immediately obeys God - V.14

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

Image Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts “The Flight into Egypt” © WELS For personal or congregational use 

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).

Sources:

Image of Thomas in the upper room copyright Google Images

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship

Saturday prior to Advent 4

[1]

Sunday’s hymn of the day, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LB #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’).

The Great ‘O’ Antiphons:

17 December -O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

18 December – 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.

19 December - O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage: Come quickly to deliver us.

20 December - O Key of David and Scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.

21 December - O Dayspring, Splendor of light everlasting: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

22 December - O King of the Nations, the Ruler they long for, the Cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save us all, whom You formed out of clay.

23 December - O Emmanuel, our King and our Lord, the Anointed for the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

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

 

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] -

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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