Brothers and sisters, peace to you in the name of Jesus. The Christmas celebration is next week and I imagine each of you is busy making last minute preparation. I encourage you to be in worship Sunday that your spirit would also be prepared, that is to have sins forgiven and faith renewed by His Word and His Holy Supper.
I’ll begin by reminding you of a few upcoming events. Our Christmas Eve Service is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm. The community is invited to worship with us as we read scriptures and sing some of our favorite Christmas hymns in honor of Jesus. There will be no Christmas Day service here. A week later, you are encouraged to attend a New Year’s Eve service at 6:30 pm to thank God for His blessings in the year past, and seeking His direction in the year ahead. There are many secular celebrations. How should the church celebrate the time and other blessings God gives us?
Sunday, December 21st is the Fourth and last Sunday in the Advent season. During Sunday’s service we follow a modified version of the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 of the LSB hymnal. Instead of a hymn of praise, we will sing Hymn #338 O Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus. Other hymns chosen for the day are #357 O Come Emmanuel; #346 When All the World Was Cursed ; #624 The Infant Son Was Holy Born; and #512 At the Name of Jesus.
The Scripture readings are Psalm 24; Isaiah 7:10-17; Romans 1:1-7; and Matthew 1:18-25.
In the Old Testament lesson from Isaiah 7, God has sent the prophet to Ahaz, who is a descendant of David and the king of the southern kingdom of Judah. Ahaz would be considered a very wicked king. (see 2Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28). He forsook God. Ahaz allowed the nationwide worship of false gods. He himself had offered sons as burnt offerings. So, God sent the combined armies of Aram (Syria) and the northern kingdom of Israel to bring judgment against Ahaz and Judah. Judah was soundly defeated. Israel and Aram plundered the country, killing hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and taking hundreds of thousands of citizens captive to be slaves. Israel and Aram hoped to set up a puppet government aligned with them against the regional power, Assyria. Another true prophet named Oded told Israel the only reason they had won was because God was judging Judah. He warned Israel that they must let the captives go and return the plunder, or else God would take vengeance against them as well. So, the citizens and plunder were returned to Ahaz. However, in Judah’s weakened state, they began receiving attacks from the Edomites to the east, and the Philistines to the west. It’s understandable that Ahaz and the people of Judah would be frightened by the constant threats. But God sent Isaiah to call Ahaz to repentance that he would humbly serve God. He also encouraged the nation to stand firm and not be afraid because God would soon push back their enemies. God intends to give Ahaz proof of His commitment, so He urges him to ask for a sign. Ahaz refuses, saying he won’t test God. God’s angry response indicates that Ahaz’s humility and piety is not genuine. (Later, Ahaz actually turn to Assyria for protection.) Ahaz’s refusal to choose a sign is considered unbelief. So, as Isaiah says, The Lord Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (meaning God with us). It can be said that the prophecy was fulfilled when within nine months the enemy nations were defeated. But the prophecy is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, born of Mary, seven centuries later.
The epistle lesson comes from the opening chapter of St. Paul’s letter to the congregations in Rome. Paul identifies himself as an apostle, set apart to proclaim the good news of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the savior foretold by the prophets. Paul describes the dual nature of Jesus as descendant of David (a man and earthly king) while also being the Son of God. Jesus’ death is proof of His humanity; His resurrection is proof of His divine power. Jesus offers His grace and peace to you to this day. You urged to obey Him in faith.
In the Gospel lesson from Matthew 1, an angel comes to Joseph, the betrothed fiancée of Mary. Mary’s pregnancy before marriage would surely trigger gossip. Joseph was considering how he might break things off without shaming Mary further. But the angel instructs Joseph that Mary’s baby is the Son of God. He refers to the prophecy of Isaiah showing Jesus to be the fulfillment of God’s promises. Joseph is told to follow through on the marriage. In the genealogy lists in the Bible, Joseph is reported to the (legal) father of Jesus. Like Mary, Joseph humbly accepts the mysterious and very surprising instruction. The gospel accounts are not meant to be mere biographies of Jesus. Rather, they are intended to report good news, that is, what God has done through Jesus to save you from sin, condemnation, and death. The concerns of Joseph show that God often works in surprising and confusing ways. But in all of life Jesus continues to be God with you so that you would be saved from your sin.
COLLECT: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help is 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.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about schedules or Sunday’s Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
