As we consider the two readings for today, it is clear that both of the people who originally uttered these songs are rejoicing. Our first reading is attributed to Hannah, the second to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptizer. Directly after the evening sermon, we will sing the Magnificat. This is yet another song of praise, first sung by Mary.
So, in the texts we have three Biblical figures, Hannah, Mary and Zechariah, singing songs to God and rejoicing.
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Author: kyriss
A history of forgiveness
While the prophets of old were directing people to look forward to the Messiah, John was pointing them to the actual Messiah who had come, the Lord Jesus Christ. John was baptizing people into the forgiveness of sins, preparing them for the more excellent and real Baptism into the death of Jesus Christ. It is our baptism into Christ that will save and bring regeneration. This is why our catechumens learn to call it, along with St. Paul, “a washing of regeneration and renewal.”…
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Zion’s salvation comes
Eventually Zion was meant to refer to all of God’s people and we still do that today. So, when the Bible uses the term Zion, which it does a lot, it’s not so much about geography or a specific hill. It’s using it as a reference to the people of God….
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Our God is a God of Hope
What is the “hope” that is in you? If your definition of hope goes something like this: “Wouldn’t it be nice, if…., or, “If only…” That’s NOT what the Scriptures mean by hope.
In today’s reading St. Paul called our God a “God of hope.” A God who fills His people with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit they may abound in hope. That’s not so they would abound in “wouldn’t it be nice,” or, “if only…”
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Ad te Domine Levavi: To You, I will lift up
Today we begin our 2022 Advent series. It is one that is being centered upon the Church’s more historic Introit Psalms. Those were long ago appointed for each of the four Sundays, and following weeks, of the Advent season. Each of those Sundays have received their names from Latin translations of the Introit appointed for each specific Advent week: Ad te levavi; Populus Zion; Gaudete; and Rorate coeli. Those names were derived from the first Latin language verse of the Introit given to the Church for hearing during each Advent week….For more, click on the title above
The triumphal advent of the King of peace
Today, the confessing Church throughout the world celebrates the Triumphal Advent of the King of Peace. Jesus is that King. We declare that for He is the One Who was heralded almost 2,000 years ago by crowds both following and leading His procession into Jerusalem.
That, and more, we have heard again from today’s readings. That is because this is the day that begins a new Church Year of our Lord. For centuries, its Gospel reading has been heard each year on this day. Yet, it is not the only time we hear today’s text in the Lord’s Services.
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Give thanks to Christ, the High Priest
Consider closely the words of the 10 Lepers at the beginning of our Gospel reading. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Each of the 10 lepers seem to make a bold confession of Christ, calling Him, “Master.” They each appear to recognize that not only is Christ right to be called, “Master,” but that He could indeed heal them. They each sound like they knew who the Messiah is, that is, One who has the power to heal with but a word. ..For more, click on the title above.
The Church’s new song is not what some people think it is
Again, today, the Lord of the Church has preserved His Church through another year. Throughout this “Year of the Psalm,” which is now a long-held Catalina Lutheran tradition, on most Sunday’s of the past year, God’s Word of Law and Gospel has been proclaimed from the Psalms. Through the declaration of the convicting, condemnning and killing Law, and, we pray, the predominance in our proclamation of the acquitting, atoning and enlivening Gospel, you, God’s people have been encouraged to behold Christ Jesus as the Psalms reveal Him. That is, as the One Who bore the full brunt of the Law that you might receive the full benefits of His Good News….For more, click on the title above
The Beautiful Crown of the Bible
This passage from Matthew is no parable, but a description of the Final Judgement.
So, what does the text say about this judgement? Upon first hearing this story, it might seem that the judgement is based on a person’s good works. It is not.
First, when the text begins, after Christ sits on the Throne of His Glory, what does He do? He separates the people from one another as a shepherd separates sheep and goats. What happens next? He judges them. Their positions are already made clear before the judgement occurs, so you need not be afraid that you will not be counted among the sheep…For more, click on the title above.
Delivered for our sins and raised for our justification
The Creator of Man Who took on human flesh to be delivered for our sins and raised for our justification (that the faithful would believe, confess and know that we have been declared right with God) has brought us, once again, into the final division of the Trinity season. Its three weeks have been marked today with the special ways of proclaiming God’s Word that this congregation has used, for some time, to mark a seasonal change….for more, click on the title above.