Saturday prior to Christmas 1

 Luke 2:1-20 – Sunday’s hymn of the Day is “Let All Together Praise Our God” Now that Christmas has come we can seriously think about the meaning of Christ’s coming into our world and our time. Even in troubled times God is with us.

Let all together praise our God upon the lofty throne,
for God unlocks the heavens today and gives to us a Son.
and gives to us a Son.

Christ lays aside his majesty and seems as nothing worth,
and takes on him a servant's form, who made the heaven and earth.
who made the heaven and earth.

Behold the wonderful exchange our Lord with us doth make!
Lo, he assumes our flesh and blood, and we of heaven partake.
and we of heaven partake.

 

The glorious gates of paradise the angel guards no more.
This day again those gates unfold; with praise our God adore!
with praise our God adore!

 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.[1]

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[1] Collect from Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Christmas Image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Friday prior to Christmas 1

 

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 –The flight to Egypt and the return to Nazareth. The Lord suffers in all the afflictions of His people. Because of His love, He feels what we feel, He hurts when we hurt. He suffers when we suffer. When the Lord called Moses, He said that He heard the cries of His enslaved people. No one suffers alone. No one walks alone. No one dies alone. “In all their afflictions He was afflicted.

Joseph proved to be a friend and protector of Jesus. What would have happened to the baby if Joseph had not been a willing worker? Here we see a great truth: God’s concern, compassion and aid comes through the help of others. In today’s world of cruelty to the exploitation of children, God is still concerned about the threatened and oppressed little ones. He looks to his own to be the friends of afflicted children. Aware of the world’s threats Joseph acted immediately as He was open to the Father’s guidance – Vv. 13, 19, 22

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 the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.[1]

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[1] Christmas Collect, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

2. Woodcut, by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures copyright © WELS used by permission for personal and congregational use.

3. Christmas image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Thursday prior to Christmas 1

 

Galatians 4:4-7 – At the right time God sent His Son that we might become sons and daughters of God. What is the real significance of Christmas? 

How is your life affected by the birth of Christ? Your whole status with God depends on the one who has entered our world. Paul explains, “But when the fullness of the time came.“(v. 4a). The word Paul describes as “fullness” suggests a basket that is full. But here it has the sense of completeness or the right time. The Lord’s timing is always right.

This son was God’s Son from the beginning. He “was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made…. (And) the Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth…. From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace” (John 1:2-3, 14, 16).

Paul’s most explicit picture of God’s sending his Son is found in his letter to the Philippians. “Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

Christ’s full humanity was manifested in his birth. He was “born of a woman”—not a princess or a queen, but an ordinary young woman. He was born, not in a palace, but in stable. His crib was a manger—a feeding trough for animals. He was raised, not in Jerusalem, the home of the temple, but in a small town in Galilee. The man who was to be known as his father was not a ruler, but a carpenter. Jesus could not have done more to identify with us in our humanity.

Luke had been Paul’s traveling companion, so Paul surely knew of the virgin birth. However, he doesn’t mention the virgin birth explicitly in any of his letters. We should not imagine that he rejected the idea of the virgin birth. More likely, that concept was so widely accepted that he felt no need to emphasize it.

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.[1]

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[1] Christmas Collect, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Christmas Image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Wednesday prior to Christmas 1

 

Isaiah 63:7-9 – Recounting the love and goodness of God to His people. This coming Sunday is the last Sunday of the calendar year. Another year has passed. 2020 has been a year none like we have ever expected yet through all of the changes and chances of this remarkable year the Lord has proven to be faithful.

Isaiah 63 is a lonely chapter. Salvation here is not triumphant. It is marked by loss and theological collapse. Isaiah 63:7-9 are some of the first words uttered after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (587 BC). Historical cues come in Isaiah 63:18 and Isaiah 64:10 where we learn that “our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary” and “your holy cities have become a wilderness, Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.”

Yet Isaiah is bold to remind us that the LORD’s mercy and stead-fast love will always take center stage. His days are without end and His mercies cannot be counted.  Aware of the shortness and the uncertainty of this human life we ask that the Holy Spirit lead us all the days of our lives until that day comes when we pass from this world to one which has no end.

During this week, review in your mind the past year. Recount the good things that come from God as you commit yourself into His care.

Christmas Image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Tuesday prior to Christmas 1

 

Psalm 111; key verse, 9a “He sent redemption to His people.” At Christmas, we see the redemption, which is ours in Jesus Christ. The eternal Son of God entered our time and space. He came to be our substitute. His humble birth is an indication of how He will live and what He will do for you. The world rejoices this night. Salvation has come. The Father has sent redemption to His people.

The LORD sent redemption unto his people. When they were in Egypt he sent not only a deliverer, but an actual deliverance; not only a redeemer, but complete redemption. He has done the like spiritually for all his people, having first by blood purchased them out of the hand of the enemy, and then by power rescued them from the bondage of their sins. Redemption we can point to as an accomplished act: it has been wrought for us, sent to us, and enjoyed by us, and we are in fact the Lord's redeemed.

In the gospel lesson for the first Sunday after Christmas we see how the LORD preserved Jesus by calling Him to Egypt to escape the murderous attempts on Jesus’ life. From a tender young age the Savior lived and walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Yet the LORD preserved Him. Likewise, you live under the watchful eye of a heavenly Father who gave us His Son for our salvation and life.

Christmas Image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Monday prior to Christmas 1

 

Jeremiah 31:5-17; Hosea 11:1 The prophet reminds us, “When Israel was a child I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”This verse coincides with the Gospel lesson for this coming Sunday. As Jesus enters into Egypt and then returns to Nazareth, we recall the nation of Israel called by God to leave Egypt into the Promised Land.

Throughout your life the LORD has promised to direct you. Just as the LORD directed the wanderings of His people in the Old Testament so He directed His Son; His ultimate destiny was the cross on Calvary’s hill. Yet even as an infant the LORD directed him. So also the LORD has promised to direct your life. You are not alone; the Lord is with you. This week of Christmas if you think you have nothing in life; behold His manger as God's love for you. When life seems to change, turn to the Scriptures that never do. When you hurt and disappoint others, yourself, hear the Gospel that Jesus forgives you.

The story of Christmas contains the revelation of restoration and hope even in the midst of trouble and loss. Why did the Christ-child do all this? Forsake everything He had to come into a sad world, suffer, and die? Because He knew, from eternity, that in His resurrection, His Father would give Him the most amazing of gifts, something far greater than anything He left behind: you.

Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He leaves His throne on high,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give you second birth.

The Baby Jesus received no good gifts. But that's not what He came to do. Instead, He received your sins, so that now, He, the giver of all good things, could offer you eternal life and salvation. [1]

Christmas Image copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

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[1] From a Christmas homily written by former fieldworker Pr. Tim Daub Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, South Dakota

Saturday prior to Advent 4

 

The hymn of the day for tomorrow the 4^th Sunday in the season of Advent, 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’).

Christmas is only days away. As you prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming into this world meditate on this wonderful ancient Latin hymn.

 

O come Thou Branch of Jesse’s tree.
Free them from Satan’s tyranny
That trust Thy mighty pow’r to save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

 

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.[1]   

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[1] O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Friday prior to Advent 4

 

Luke 1:26–38—What a shock it must have been for this pious young woman to learn that she, not having known a man, would give birth to a baby boy. And no ordinary boy, but God Himself, the second Person of the Trinity! Due to the miracle wrought through the Holy Spirit, Child born would be ‘true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary.’ The Blessed Virgin is, therefore, truly the Mother of God, and her Son, the Savior of mankind, is properly named ‘Jesus,’ that is, ‘Yahweh saves.’

The promise told in the Old Testament lesson is fulfilled in this week’s Gospel lesson. A messenger from heaven comes to a young girl in Nazareth to tell her that she is to be the mother of the Messiah. Joseph was a son of David. By physical nature Jesus was a son of David. He was also son of God and his kingdom was to be eternal. This was all the LORD’s work, for the child would be the produce of the Holy Spirit. Humbly and submissively Mary consented to be Gods’ instrument in bringing his Son on earth as a human being.[1]

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[1] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Thursday prior to Advent 4

 

Romans 16:25–27—A fitting end to the book of Romans, in which St. Paul has so clearly proclaimed Christ as the Savior of the world, apart from works, this doxology (hymn of praise) is especially appropriate during this Advent season, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, who ‘has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations.

The age old mystery was revealed to all nations in the Scriptures and preaching of Christ. This reading constitutes the closing words of the book of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, “Now to him…be glory…” The passage is appropriate for this week because of Paul reference to the disclosure of the mystery kept secret for ages. The revelation is the coming of Christ. This was forecast and promised by the prophets. This Gospel of revelation is now shared with all nations.

The child born in a manger in Bethlehem was none other than the Son of God, the promised Messiah. Because “The word became flesh,” Advent as the time of preparation for the Messiah, makes sense. This holy child is “very God of very God.” In him God invaded human history. He was the Christ-event, the Word-event. If this is not true, then there is no meaning or message to Advent.[1]

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[1] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

Images © Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Wednesday prior to Advent 4

 

2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16—King David’s desire was to build a permanent structure for the Ark of the Covenant, that is a permanent place for God to reside with His people. But the Lord tells David that He will establish a ‘house’ and a kingdom for David, which shall have no end. We are not to look to Israel for fulfillment of God’s promise, but to David’s Descendant, Christ Jesus, who has established His throne of dominion forever, by His defeat of sin, death, and the devil at Calvary.

The Lord promises David that he will make his name great, give him rest from his enemies, and will establish him in an everlasting kingdom. David was promised that his descendants would rule God’s people forever. Each succeeding king as a son of David was considered a savior-king, a son of God. Each was looked to as a messiah.

At the exile this belief was no longer held for the messiah could be a priest or prophet rather than a Davidic king. David’s son was conceived as an agent of God’s salvation and his reign would usher in a permanent age of righteousness and peace. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David.[1]

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] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brockhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

[2] Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Tuesday prior to Advent 4

 

Psalm 89:1–5—What is the believer’s response to all that the Lord has done for us through Christ? ‘I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.’ In doing so, we join the throngs in heaven (v. 5), just as we say in the Preface to the Lord’s Supper, ‘with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You… Our worship here on earth is the same worship directed to Christ in glory.

The opening four verses of Psalm 89 contain a trove of theological catch-words from the Old Testament. Verses 1 and 2 are parallel in the proclamation of God's "steadfast love" in their first lines and "faithfulness" in their second. These two traits are central in defining God's character and relationship with Israel. The single Hebrew word translated as "steadfast love" is difficult to convey with any single English expression, and thus we see different English Bibles using a variety of translations in different contexts: steadfast love, loving kindness, love, kindness, mercy, loyalty, favor, devotion, goodness, and still others.

Whatever Ethan the Ezrahite (the psalm's author as stated in the superscription) and his original audience would have heard in these words, for Christians the eternal establishment of the Davidic covenant is accomplished with the coming of Christ. The angel Gabriel's annunciation to Mary expresses this very idea: "the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32b-33). Thus when we as Christians read this psalm in worship, we are proclaiming the faithfulness and steadfast love of God as expressed ultimately in Jesus Christ.[1]

Collect for Psalm 89: Mighty God, in fulfillment of the promise made to David’s descendants you established a lasting covenant through your firstborn Son. You anointed your servant Jesus with holy oil and raise him higher than all kings on earth. Remember your covenant, so that we who are signed with the blood of your Son may sing of your mercies forever; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[2]

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[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=957

[2] Collect for Psalm 89, For All the Saints A Prayer book for and by the Church Vol.III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Monday prior to Advent 4

 

Psalm 19:1, 4c, 5–6; Antiphon, Isaiah 45:8a, b—The antiphon for this coming Sunday, the last Sunday in the season of Advent asks that God would open the heavens and ‘let the clouds rain down righteousness,’ and that, correspondingly, He would open the earth, ‘that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit.’

Both of these things have come to pass. When the Son of God assumed flesh, and came to earth to be born a man, righteousness rained down. And this was not without effect, for He brought salvation which bears fruit in believers, as they live out their righteousness in Christ.

The righteousness which Christ accomplished is called a gift. It is through this righteousness that God is both a just God and a Savior of His people. Reading just a little further in Isaiah 45 we are told,"…there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.” Thus St. Paul will teach in Romans 5:17, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"

Sin always brings death. Death became king. It ruled the lives of every person born from Adam. By contrast, Paul writes, those who receive the abundance of God's grace and the free gift of righteousness will themselves reign in life through Jesus. Receiving God's justification by faith in Christ not only frees us from the kingdom of death, it allows us to rule in a kingdom of life as the very children of God.

Collect for Psalm 19: Heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty. Open our eyes to see your gracious hand in all your works, that rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness, for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[1]

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[1] Collect for Psalm 19, For All the Saints, A Prayer book for and by the Church Vol.III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Saturday prior to Advent 3

 

The hymn of the day, Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding (LSB 345), tells of the work of John the Baptist. His voice is thrilling to believers, for his voice heralds the coming of our Savior, Jesus.

As is the case with several carols and anthems for Advent and Christmas in current common use, this text and tune with its descant have gained greater acceptance and use in the Church through their inclusion in a recording of Advent Lessons and Carols by the choir of King’s College, Cambridge.

The hymn is found in two 10th century sources.  The hymn abounds with scripture references; indeed every line in the Latin original can reasonably be associated with a passage from scripture, if not a direct reference, at least a reflection.  The translation by Edward Caswall, which appeared in his Lyra Catholica [1849] preserves most of the biblical references. 

The word “hark” is a perfectly good word but for some reason it seems to appear mostly at this time of year in Advent and Christmas hymns.   Defined as “to listen carefully, to be attentive,” it surely is the correct word for our waiting and watching during the Advent season. 

Composed by William Henry Monk, first appeared in the Parish Choir, 1850, and in the first addition of Hymns: Ancient & Modern [1861] for which Monk served as musical editor and was the person who suggested the title for that historic collection.  The tune’s title is thought to refer to Walter de Merton, founder of Merton College, Oxford, England.[1]

Prayer at nightfall: We praise and thank You, O God, for You are without beginning and without end. Through Christ You are the creator and preserver of the whole world; but above all, You are His God and Father, the giver of the Spirit, and the ruler of all that is, seen and unseen. You made the day for the works of light and the night for the refreshment of our weakness. O loving Lord and source of all that is good, mercifully accept our evening sacrifice of praise. As You have conducted us through the day and brought us to night's beginning, keep us now in Christ; grant us a peaceful evening and a night free from sin; and at the end bring us to everlasting life through Christ, our Lord; through Him be glory, honor, and power to You in the Holy Spirit now and always forever and ever.[2]

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[1] https://www.stfrancismacon.org/hymn-notes/2019/12/10/harknbsp-a-thrilling-voice-is-sounding-59

[2] An evening prayer, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Friday prior to Advent 3

 

John 1:6–8, 19–28—When the priests and Levites confronted John the Baptist, asking him who he was, he responded that he was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah in the Old Testament reading. John is the man sent from God, the voice of one crying out in the wilderness. He went before the Lord Jesus, to prepare the way for Him, to bear witness to Him. John baptized and preached a message of repentance. Likewise, we still heed John, and prepare ourselves for the celebration of the coming of Christ in the flesh by repenting of our sins.

The LORD sent John the Baptist to witness to his and Christ’s identity.  According to this passage, John the Baptist has a divine mission to bear witness to Jesus as the Messiah. His witness was in part negative. He testifies to whom he is not. Clearly and emphatically he said that he was not the Messiah. Neither is he Elijah. (Malachi 4:1; 4:5) Nor is he “the prophet.” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

John confesses that he was only a voice preparing the way for Christ to come. Then he gives his testimony of Christ who is so great that John the Baptist did not feel worthy to unloose his sandals. Though Jesus apparently was standing in the crowd, he was not known. To truly know Jesus, one must be given the enlightenment of the Spirit.

John identifies himself as a voice. Throughout the passage, there is evidence of a voice “testimony,” “witness,” confessed.”  The voice proclaims the truth of Christ. Out of the heart the mouth speaks. What we believe in our hearts we confess with our lives. Witnessing is a natural, spontaneous expression of faith in Christ. A true Christian needs not to be commanded, exhorted, or trained to witness. He cannot help but tell of Christ at all times.[1] 

Collect for 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] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brockhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

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

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Thursday prior to Advent 3

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24—What is our response to and our witness of Christ has accomplished for us? That we rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. This we can do, because we are no longer in our former state, as people who have no hope, in bondage to sin. Christ has set us free, and gives us His gifts of Word and Sacrament, that our whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul calls upon his people to always rejoice. How can this be? For a Christian, rejoicing does not depend on possessions or good fortune. A Christian is the happiest person in the world because he has been freed from sin and now experiences the fullness of life. Moreover, he knows who is coming. This is reason for rejoicing, for the coming One brings victory, peace and love.

For Paul the Christian life involves all of life and all the time. In verses 16-17 Paul uses the words, “always,” “constantly,” and “in all circumstances.”  Rejoice always, pray constantly, give things in all circumstances. Being a Christian is not a one-day-per-week, not a forty-hour week. It is a quality of life that pervades all of life. A Christian lives every moment with a God-consciousness. [1]

Prayer for deliverance from sin: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, You desire not the death of a sinner, but rather that we turn from our evil ways and live. Graciously spare us those punishments which we by our sins have deserved, and grant us always to serve You in holiness and pureness of living; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. [2]

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[1] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

[2] Collect for deliverance from sin, Lutheran Service Book © Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Wednesday prior to Advent 3

 

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11—God’s anointed messenger is here proclaimed. He will proclaim the good news of relief and release to the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, those who are bound, and those who mourn. All these things describe us in our sinful state: We are poor, lacking the riches of fellowship with God, and thus brokenhearted; we are captives of, and in bondage to sin, and thus can only mourn our condition.

But the One whom the messenger proclaims will give us the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit, that we may be called oaks of righteousness.

This is the text for Jesus’ inaugural sermon at Nazareth (Luke 4). It gave the forecast of His ministry. This passages comes from the time when the Babylonian exiles returned to Judea and found their country in ruins. It constituted a message of good news of liberation and comfort. In Vv.10-11 we find Israel’s happy response to the glad tidings of salvation. The people rejoice in the LORD for His salvation and righteousness.

From the beginning God has been clothing His people. He made clothes for Adam and Eve. In this lesson the Servant rejoices that God has clothed him with garments of salvation, the rob of righteousness, and adorned them as bride and groom. It is a dramatic moment when Christ puts on us His perfect rob of righteousness which covers up the filthy rags of our sin. Dressed in His rob, God the judge sees not us but Christ from whose sake then we are accepted.[1] 

A Prayer for grace and forgiveness: Spare us, O Lord, and mercifully forgive us our sins. Though by our continual transgressions we have merited Your chastisements, be gracious to us. Grant that all these punishments which we have deserved may not come upon us, but that all things may work to our everlasting good; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[2]

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[1] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima OH

[2] Collect for grace and forgiveness, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things 

Tuesday prior to Advent 3

 Psalm 126—This psalm was composed when the Israelites returned from the Babylonian Exile. When God delivered them, their mouths were initially filled with laughter and their tongues with shouts of joy.

But the hardships they faced upon return tested their faith in the Lord’s promise to restore the fortunes of Zion. This psalm provides comfort that those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! Likewise, when we face unexpected hardships and suffering, we can take comfort that the Lord has done great things for us. The greatest thing He has done is restored us by the death of our Savior, His Son, Jesus Christ.

These words from the psalmist are repeated by the Savior in the words of the Beatitudes in His sermon on the mount. “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” –Matthew5:4 The Savior speaks of two realities. You will mourn. But you will be comforted.

Advent is a penitential season.  There is mourning. Specifically we mourn over the sins we have committed against God.  Sorrow for the fact that our sins brought God’s Son to the cross.

Yet, that agent of execution brings life. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. -1 Peter 2:24

Even in the Advent and Christmas cycle the cross is always before us. The birth of a baby led to the death of a man. That miserable death has saved us; and in that death all misery loss and sorrow is passing away. We anticipate that glorious day, When “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”-Revelation 21:4 Thus we are lead to pray, “Even so, come Lord Jesus, quickly come.” –Revelation 22:20 

Collect for Psalm 126 – Lord Jesus, our life and our resurrection, the tears you sowed in sorrow of your Passion brought the earth to flower on Easter morning. Renew the wonders of your power in the Church, so that, after the sorrows of our exile, we may come home to you in gladness and praise you now and forever.[1]

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[1] Collect for Psalm 126, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church, Vol.III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things