Pr. DFD

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

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.

We have reached the last stanza of the preparatory hymn of the Advent season, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

O come, o come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

O Emanuel, our king and our Lord, the anointed for the nations and their Savior: Come and Save us, O Lord our God[1]

Monday, December 21, 2020

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.

From O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel

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.[1]

Collect for Psalm 111 – Merciful and gentle Lord, the crowning glory of all the saints, give us, your children, the gift of obedience, which is the beginning of wisdom, so that we may be filled with your mercy and that what you command we may do by the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.[2]

Sunday, December 20, 2020

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]

From the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh’
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting; come and enlighten those who sin in darkness and in the shadow of death.

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

Time in the Word - Christmas 1

Tim in the Word:

21-26 December 2020

Readings and Prayers in the time of Christmas

The Goodness of God

The first Sunday after Christmas is the last Sunday of the Calendar year. The old year is ending. A New one will be with us very soon. The theme of Christmas 1, the goodness of God, is appropriate for the end of a year. The Old Testament lesson is especially relevant. “I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord.” At the end of the year, it is wise to take inventory and count our blessings of the past year.

We see that God is good. He protects us from danger, redeems us from affliction and welcomes us into His family the Church.

Collect for Christmas 1 – O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You 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, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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.

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.

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.

A Prayer for the Morning: Faithful God, whose mercies are new to us every morning, we humbly pray that You would look upon us in mercy and renew us by Your Holy Spirit. Keep safe our going out and our coming in, and let Your blessing remain with us throughout this day. Preserve us in Your righteousness, and grant us a portion in that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayer of Thanksgiving at the end of the day: Gracious Lord, we give You thanks for the day, especially for the good we were permitted to give and receive. The day is now past, and we commit it to You. We entrust to You the night and rest in Your peace, for You are our help, and You neither slumber nor sleep. Hear us for the sake of Your name.

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 rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Monday, 21 December 2020—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. 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.

Tuesday, 22 December 2020—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.

Wednesday, 23 December 2020— 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. During this week, review in your mind the past year. Recount the good things that come from God.

Thursday, 24 December 2020—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.

Friday, 25 December 2020 – 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."

Saturday, 26 December 2020— 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.

Sources:

Collect for Pentecost 24 from Lutheran Worship © Concordia Publishing House

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Advent 4

Luke 1:26-38
"Not For Women Only"

There are some who would argue that it is only Mary who could truly understand what it was to comprehend what the birth of Jesus really meant. They will contend that it was only Mary who carried Jesus for a period of 9 months within her; and so, it was only Mary who could understand what it meant to have Christ living inside of her. Is that a true statement?

In the letter to the Galatians St. Paul writes "My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you." (Galatians 4:19) What Paul is getting at is that every Christian has the same privilege as Mary to possess Christ. Each of us has the opportunity to claim, "Christ lives in me!" This is the ultimate purpose of Christmas – to have Christ born in each believing heart. This morning, let’s consider the example of Mary as we are to carry Christ within us:

1 Like Mary we need a sense of unworthiness to possess Christ. Listen to verse 28 of our text for today: "Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be". What would your reaction be if an angel appeared to you? And what would your reaction be after receiving such a salutation as the one that she received? Certainly she was neither sinless nor perfect. Her favor with God was in her willingness to be used for the LORD’s purposes and to use her life in spite of what it may cost.

This is exactly what we are asked of God today; to be used for His purposes. He asks us to give LORD our life and say to the Lord "use me as your instrument".

2 Like Mary we need a healthy reverence for God. Listen to verse 30 of our text for today: "But the angel said, fear not Mary for you have found favor with God." What does the angel say to her? He calls her favored by God. Mary was a favored girl. She found favor with God. To be favored meant to be approved of God and capable of carrying out God’s plan for the world.

What had she done to deserve this favor? Or wasn’t it deserved? She was a simple, poor, and humble woman. He character was expressed however in her acceptance of the position, which fell upon her. She said and responded in faith, "Let it be to me according to your word."

3 Like Mary we need to be open to the Spirit. Listen to verse 35 of our text for today; "The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." Notice that when Mary received the news of her coming motherhood of the Messiah, she asked a sensible and normal question, "How? How will this happen?"

Since she was unmarried, how could she become a mother? Not every young girl would need to ask that question. Mary serves as a role model for our young both male and female alike. Virginity is the greatest gift you can give to your spouse. No, we do not venerate the saint…that is true. But we should follow their example. Virginity before marriage is noble and honorable before God.

The answer to Mary’s question is simple and yet so profound. How is this miracle to be performed? The answer is that the Holy Spirit would be the Father of God’s Son. The question "How?" was vital to Mary. To the Christian there are more important questions about this child. Who is He? And why is He coming? Who is He? He is the Son of God. Why is He coming? To bear the sins of the world in His own body.

He comes for those who are broken by their sin. He comes for those who are worried about their future. How will I stand before God when He returns? He comes to bring salvation and life. He comes to bring us His mercy and grace.

4 Like Mary, we need to be a submissive servant. Listen to verse 38 of our text for today; "I am the Lord’s servant…may it be to me as you have said". This is an impossible situation! A birth without a father. A peasant girl becoming the mother of God. And God becomes a person!

Yet, NOTHING is impossible with God! Christmas is God’s work and action! He comes in the person of Jesus Christ. He chooses Mary. He chooses you. He produces a life by the Spirit. Because Christmas is of God. The impossible becomes possible.

What is it that is impossible in your life today? NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! Do you believe it? Do you want to believe it but are afraid that it just won’t happen? If Jesus can be born of the Virgin Mary nothing, absolutely nothing is impossible with God. Trust in Him! Christmas is God’s guarantee that all things are possible. And nothing is impossible for God!

Words – 875
Passive Sentences –6%
Readability – 81.7%
Reading Level – 4.4
Advent image, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Friday, December 18, 2020

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 one week 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]

Thursday, December 17, 2020

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]

From the great Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

O come Thou Lord of might
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the Law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

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.[2]