Greetings to you in the name of our living and coming Lord, Jesus. May the Prince of Peace be your continual focus in this busy time of year. There is one more midweek service this Advent season, Wednesday 12/20, beginning at 6:00 pm.
Looking ahead to Sunday the 24th, there will be a “normal” schedule in the morning, with Bible Study and Sunday School at 9, and worship at 10:30. The Christmas Eve Service will be in the evening starting at 6 pm.
This coming Sunday, December 17 is the third Sunday of Advent. We will follow a modified version of the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #344 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry; #338 Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus; #398 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed; #611 Chief of Sinners Though I Be; and #563 Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness.
Scriptures assigned to the day are Psalm 126:1-6; Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; and John 1:6-8, 19-28.
Psalm 126 is ascribed as a “song of ascents”, something that would have been sung by pilgrims as they made their way up the mountain to Jerusalem, and up the stairs to the temple as they prepared for worship. Along the journey the people would have excitedly discussed the ways God was working in their lives. They would have had opportunity to retell stories to their children reminding them of the way God had helped their ancestors, delivering them out of slavery in Egypt, providing for them and bringing them safely through the Negev/Sinai wilderness. These memories of God’s help in the past give us confidence and hope as we look forward to the future. There may times of sadness ahead, but God will turn them into joy. What if we prepared for worship this way? That is, what if, as we traveled to church, we retold stories of God’s intervention in our lives and the lives of our ancestors? How would that affect our mood as we entered into worship to hear God’s word, to be assured by Jesus, and receive His gifts of forgiveness?
Isaiah 61 is one of the so-called “Servant songs”, words spoken by God’s Anointed Messiah (in Greek, Christ). It is a prophetic word, spoken through Isaiah some 700 years before Jesus’ birth. The dialogue describes the work of the Messiah, His purpose in blessing God’s people by setting them free from sin and its consequence. He will bring comfort, and turn sadness into joy. Jesus later declares that He is the fulfillment of this prophecy (Luke 4:18). Like Isaiah you have reason to rejoice, for Jesus the Messiah has brought you salvation, covering your sin and clothing you in the beauty of His righteousness. There may be times your guilt or fears seem to have you bound. Remember, Jesus has set you free of such things. He gives assurance that He is with you. This is good news for all people.
The epistle reading is from St. Paul’s letter 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5. Paul encourages the Church to always rejoice, pray, and give thanks. He is not being naïve about the hardships we face in this sin-broken world. Paul had more than an average case of suffering in his life. He was regularly physically confronted by false teachers and other opponents to his teaching. But he also trusted the words of His Lord and Savior, Jesus. He had been convinced that Jesus is faithful, and His saving work is surely going to be accomplished no matter what troubles may come against us. Test everything and hold on to what is true and good. Hardship, setback, and suffering do not negate Jesus’ promises to save you.
Each of the four gospel accounts give attention to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus. John came out of the wilderness, calling people to repentance, urging them to turn from their sin in preparation for meeting Jesus and the reign of God. Sunday, we read from the opening chapter of the apostle John’s gospel account. People were questioning the Baptizer about his identity. John clarified that he was not the Christ; He was not a reincarnated version of Elijah or some other prophet. He was the voice foretold by the prophets, making the way ready for God’s Messiah. He was not the Light of God, but had came to point others to the Light. Whatever good work John might accomplish, the Messiah would do far greater work—He would die to pay for the sin of the world, saving you from God’s condemnation. John baptized with water for repentance; Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit for eternal life. As time went on there would be less attention on John and more and more attention on Jesus. Be prepared for Jesus’ return by paying attention to His words.
COLLECT: Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly implore You to continue to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests, or questions about Sunday’s lessons or the Christmas schedule. God bless you. Pastor Boster
