Tag: Christmas

The Law always accuses, the Gospel always acquits

Flight into Egypt by John August Swanson

The following theme flowed forth from today’s readings:
Lex semper accusat…lex non potest eos accusare aut damnare..
Those two Latin phrases ought to be interpreted into the language common to us, English. That is because we desire that we might be found faithful to the teaching of the Scriptures. The first phrase, lex semper accusat… may be correctly interpreted to mean: “The Law always accuses….” The second phrase, lex non potest eos accusare aut damnare is interpreted to reveal that “the Law cannot accuse or condemn them (that is, those who remain in the Jesus of the Scriptures).” Another way to think of that is to hear, reflect, and own this old biblically formed adage: The Law convicts, condemns, and kills… the Gospel acquits, atones, and enlivens. …For more, clickl on the title above.

Christmas 2_2026

Flight into Egypt by John August Swanson

Christmas 2

…Click on the above title for the bulletin.

God’s Word provides consistency and stability

Please hear the following theme text that has been selected for this first day of 2026. As you do so, remember as it is the eighth day of Christmas, it is also the day the Church has continued to celebrate Jesus’ shedding first blood in the war He won against sin, death, and the devil. We recall our response that prepared us to hear of the Circumcision of our Lord, as we declared:
What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD… . For more, click on the title above.

Dressed for action and lamps burning

LSB Icon used with permission

Seeing how this is the last day of the calendar year, it seems only fitting that the sermon is on the true and final Last Day.
Through the earthly authors of the Bible, God has communicated to mankind some details about the events that will take place leading up to and during the Final Judgement. Typically, this topic would lead the faithful to dissect the text of the Revelation or as it is titled in the Greek text, The Apocalypse of John, to find information and answers to their questions.
That is not a bad place to start your study. In fact, it would be the correct choice in many cases, considering how Revelation largely focuses on this subject. However, the Final Day is spoken of elsewhere in Scripture, including but not limited to our Gospel and sermon text for today from the Gospel of Luke the Evangelist. …For more, click on the title above.

Proclaiming God’s faithfulness through the generations

Simeon and Anna by Teresa Moon

Merry Christmas! This day, God has called us again to hear His Word to His Church on another fourth day of Christmas. This is also a day wherein the Church has commemorated the shedding of innocent blood on account of the Good News concerning Jesus the Christ.
Through all of that, God’s Word for today presents to you God’s will. He reveals that in the divine hope that it would move your New Adam’s response to God’s mercy. Hear now that which you are free in Christ to do—despite the multitudes of tragedies that surround you in this fallen world. For more, click on the title above.

The Word

Nativity scene painted on pipal leaf (found in Nepal and India)

Christ is born!!! The Savior prophesied about in ages past has arrived, born of the virgin in Bethlehem. But now what? What did Jesus do?
There are multiple excerpts from Scripture that give an outline of this what Jesus did. One of the best known examples of this would be John 3:16 where we are told why Jesus came, what He did, and the result. It is nice, quick, and to the point. …For more, click on the title above.