Sunday, January 1, 2023 - The New Year and The Eighth Day of Christmas

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Sunday, January 1, 2023 - Day 1 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 26:1-21; Psalm 1; John 1:29-42)

The New Year and The Eighth Day of Christmas

♬ On the eighth day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

Eight Maids a-Milking

Seven Swans a-Swimming

Six Geese a-Laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Why maids a-milking on the Eighth Day of Christmas?

On this day we remember the eight Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:3-12.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 5:3-10)

This looks like a pretty good list of New Year’s resolutions. May you be blessed as you “work” at these by prayer, meditation on the Word, and by helping others in the name of the Lord.

Dear Holy Spirit, please work in my life in this new year so that I may be blessed by the Lord. Please make my heart pure as I hunger and thirst after Your righteous ways. Above all, remind me of my sin and of my need for Jesus my Savior. Amen.

0 Lord Christ, our Savior dear,

Be Thou ever near us.

Grant us now a glad new year.

Amen, Jesus, hear us! (Lutheran Service Book, CPH #390)

Have a blessed New Year!

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:

https://files.lcms.org/file/preview/XxtyVfFAq1AnLS1gOHvLxvC7AGJ1D4w3?

The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!

Saturday, December 31, 2022 - New Year’s Eve Prayer and Seventh Day of Christmas

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Saturday, December 31, 2022 - Day 365 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 25:1-12; Psalm 150; John 1:1-28)

New Year’s Eve Prayer and Seventh Day of Christmas

THE SONG

    ♬ On the seventh day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

Seven Swans a-Swimming

Six Geese a-Laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Why Seven Swans a-swimming on the 7th Day of Christmas?

Seven Swans a-Swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:3-9 ESV)

As you can see in these verses from Romans, we Christians are called upon to fight the naturally human tendency to think more about ourselves than we should. We all have a role to play in God’s plan, a role for which He has provided you with just the right gift(s). We are all in this together.  As we look forward to 2023, may we determine to make better use of our God-given gifts for His glory and in His service.

A Prayer for December 31, 2022

1. Across the sky the shades of night

   This New Year’s Eve are fleeting,

   We deck Your altar, Lord, with light,

   In solemn worship meeting;

   And as the year’s last hours go by,

   We raise to You our earnest cry,

   Once more You love entreating.

2. Before the cross subdued we bow,

   To You our prayers addressing,

   Recounting all Your mercies now,

   And all our sins confessing;

   Beseeching You this coming year

   To keep us in Your faith and fear

   And crown us with Your blessing.

3. We gather up in this brief hour

   The memory of Your mercies;

   Your wondrous goodness, love and power

   Our grateful song rehearses;

   For You have been our strength and stay

   In many a dark and dreary day

   Of sorrow and reverses.

5 Then, gracious God, in years to come,

   We pray Your hand may guide us,

   And, onward through our journey home,

   Your mercy walk beside us

   Until at last our ransomed life

   Is safe from peril, toil, and strife

   When heav'n itself shall hide us. AMEN.

   (Across the Sky the Shades of Night, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, LSB #899)

Pastor David Paape

Friday, December 30, 2022 - THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Friday, December 30, 2022 - Day 364 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 23:1-18; Psalm 148; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21)

THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

THE SONG

   ♬ On the sixth day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

Six Geese a Laying

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Why Six Geese a-laying on the Sixth Day of Christmas? 

Six Geese a-Laying represent the six days of creation:

In the very beginning of the Bible we read:

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth...   3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. (Genesis 1:1, 3-5 ESV)

God continued to create during the next 5 days. On day 6 He created the crown of His creation:

 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27 ESV)

And how did He do?

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31 ESV)

Heavenly Father, help me to take comfort in the fact that You created everything, 

including me. May I celebrate and defend Your precious gift of life! In the name of Jesus, the giver of eternal life. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

Thursday, December 29, 2022 - THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Thursday, December 29, 2022 - Day 363 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 23:1-18; Psalm 148; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21)

THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - RINGS

♬ On the fifth day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

Five Golden Rings

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Why four Five Golden Rings on the Fifth Day of Christmas? Five Golden Rings are symbolic of the Pentateuch, the first five Books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.

What makes these books special is that, while they were written by Moses, they were inspired by the Holy Spirit and, therefore, are the very Word of God, as are the other 34 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament. Jesus Himself often referred to Moses:

“And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?”  (Mark 12:26 ESV)

Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing the history of Your people and Your plan of salvation on the pages of the Pentateuch. Holy Spirit, please guide me and direct my faith as I read the Bible. Grant me the desire and the discipline to read Your Word on a daily basis in 2023. Amen

Have a blessed Fifth Day of Christmas!

Pastor David Paape

Wednesday, December 28, 2022 - THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022 - Day 362 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 22:15-25; Psalm 147; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10)

THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - THE SONG

 ♬ On the fourth day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

Four Calling Birds

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree. (JESUS)

Why four Calling Birds on the Fourth Day of Christmas? Four Calling Birds represent the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The beginning of John’s Gospel captures the focus of all four Gospels, namely Jesus our Savior. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ”  (John 1:1-5 ESV)

Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me by means of the first four books of the New Testament. Thank You for shining the light of forgiveness into my life of darkness. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Tuesday, December 27, 2022 -

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Tuesday, December 27, 2022 - Day 361 - THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 22:1-14; Psalm 146; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33)

HAPPY THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS

THE SONG

♬ On the third day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

Three French Hens

Two Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in Pear Tree.

Why Three French Hens on the third day of Christmas? The three hens represent the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. These were given by God and poured into our hearts. The three hens are also symbolic of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

(Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow, Lutheran Service Book #805)

NOTE: The Twelve Days of Christmas actually began on Christmas Day, not yesterday as this blog had indicated, making yesterday the Second Day of Christmas with the following message:

 Almighty God, holy blessed Trinity, thank You for being my Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. Lord Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, I praise Your name. Amen.

Have a blessed Second/Third Day of Christmas!

Pastor David Paape

Monday, December 26, 2022 - THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Monday, December 26, 2022 - Day 360 - THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 22:1-17; Psalm 145; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15)

Several years ago The Lutheran Witness carried an article written by Terence Maher. The title of that article was:

CHRISTMAS ISN’T JUST ONE DAY

The Church’s celebration of Christmas does not begin with December and end on Christmas, with New Year’s Day tacked on the end. In the Western Church, it begins on Christmas and continues until Epiphany. That day—Jan. 6—is when we celebrate the arrival of the Wise Men to worship Jesus. By tradition, these twelve days from Christmas through Epiphany comprise the Twelve Days of Christmas.

THE SONG

What in world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, & especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? 

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. 

DAY ONE

  On the first day of Christmas

  my true love sent to me:

  A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Tradition has it that the partridge is Jesus. This seems fitting to me since Jesus is reason for the Christmas season.

So, the answer to an add that I heard on the radio earlier this week is... we all do! What was the question?  “Who needs that old partridge in a pare tree.” We all need Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem and our dear Savior!

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:11 ESV)

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to be my Savior. Please bless my continued celebration of You nativity for the next 12 days and beyond. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Sunday, December 25, 2022 - CHRIST YOUR SAVIOR IS BORN

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Sunday, December 25, 2022 - Day 359 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 2; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18)

CHRIST YOUR SAVIOR IS BORN

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 KJV)

MERRY CHRISTMAS! What a glorious day this is. 

Christ your Savior is born. And this changes everything, prompting us to sing: 

♬ Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!

♬ No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground; 

      He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.

♬ Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. 

Gloria in excelsis Deo;  Gloria in excelsis Deo. 

♬ Mild He leaves His throne on high, born that man no more may die;

Born to raise the sons of earth; born to give them second birth.

  Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!"

♬ God's Son for a gift has been sent you this night.  

To be your Redeemer, your Joy and Delight.

Be near me, Lord Jesus! I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and take us to heaven to live with Thee there. Amen.

“See” you in church this morning!

Pastor David Paape

Saturday, December 24, 2022 - GOD WITH US

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Saturday, December 24, 2022 - Day 358 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 110:1-4; 1 John 4:7-16; Matthew 1:18-25)

GOD WITH US

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). 

Tonight we will once again experience that silent and holy night when a son was born to a virgin named Mary. What made that night so special is that His name prophesied hundreds of years earlier is fulfilled. On that holy night God came to be with us. This is the point of Christmas. And because Jesus came to be with us, to live a holy life without even one sin, and then to die innocently in our place, we who believe in Him, are forgiven and guaranteed heaven.

   Christ, by highest heav'n adored, 

   Christ, the everlasting Lord.

   Late in time behold Him come, 

   Offspring of a virgin's womb.

   Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,  

   Hail the incarnate Deity! 

   Please as Man with man to dwell; 

   Jesus, our Immanuel!

   Hark! the herald angels sing, 

   "Glory to the newborn King!" 

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus that first Christmas Eve. Bless my worship of Him tonight. Help me to never forget that Christ, my Savior, is born. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Friday, December 23, 2022 - JESUS IS COMING

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Friday, December 23, 2022 - Day 357 - (Today’s Bible readings:  Isaiah 19:16-20; Psalm 144; 2 Corinthians 10:7-18)

JESUS IS COMING

And he (John the Baptist) went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” (Luke 3:3-4)

John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for Jesus, to let people know that the promised One, the Messiah, was coming.

In Advent we sing hymns like the one below reminding us that Jesus did come to bless all who repent and believe.

Once He came in blessing,

All our sins redressing;

Came in likeness lowly,

Son of God most holy;

Bore the cross to save us;

Hope and freedom gave us.

Come, then, O Lord Jesus,

From our sins release us.

Keep our hearts believing,

That we, grace receiving,

Ever may confess You

Till in heav'n we bless You. Amen.

(“Once He Came in Blessing,” Lutheran Service Book #333, 1&4)

Pastor David Paape

Thursday, December 22, 2022 - THE EVERLASTING LIGHT

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Thursday, December 22, 2022 - Day 356 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 19:1-15; Psalm 143; 2 Corinthians 10:1-6)

THE EVERLASTING LIGHT

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5 ESV)

In the selected verse for today, John points us to Jesus, and in effect says BEHOLD THE LIGHT. Jesus stands out in stark contrast to the rest of this sin-darkened world. The reason for “Joy to the World” is because the Babe of Bethlehem is the light sent from God the Father to overcome the darkness in your life.

As you finish your preparations for Christmas, please remember what it is all about. Jesus came to brighten your life with His forgiveness, His comfort and His promise of heaven.

  1. O little town of Bethlehem, 

How still we see thee lie!  

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep 

The silent stars go by; 

Yet in thy darkness shineth

The everlasting Light; 

The hopes and fears of all the years 

Are met in thee tonight. 

  2. For Christ is born of Mary,

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep, the angels keep 

Their watch of wond'ring love.

O morning stars, together 

Proclaim the holy birth,

And praises sing to God the king 

And peace to all the earth!

        

  3. How silently, how silently, 

The wondrous Gift is giv'n! 

So God imparts to human hearts 

The blessings of His heav'n. 

No ear may hear His coming, 

But in this world of sin, 

Where meek souls will receive Him still, 

The dear Christ enters in. 

  4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, 

Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in, 

Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas Angels, 

The great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, 

Our Lord Immanuel!

        ("O Little Town of Bethlehem," Lutheran Service Book #361)

Dearest Lord Jesus, please shine Your joy and peace into my heart and life so that I may BEHOLD YOUR LIGHT anew this year.  And then, please shine through me to others. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 - CHEERFUL LIVING

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 - Day 355 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 18:1-7; Psalm 142; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

CHEERFUL LIVING

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV) 

Paul is giving us a partial description of cheerful Christian living. We who have been given everything by means of the death and resurrection of Christ, now get to respond in cheerful thanksgiving. He who gave us His best, now expects us to return our best to Him, and to do it joyfully. And what is it that He expects us to give? The best of our time, talent, treasure and testimony. The third stanza of yet another favorite Christmas carol reminds of the Wisemen and their cheerful response to the birth of Jesus. 

1. What child is this, who, laid to rest,

    On Mary's lap is sleeping?

    Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

    While shepherds watch are keeping?

    This, this is Christ the king,

    Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

    Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

    The babe, the son of Mary!

2. Why lies He in such mean estate

    Where ox and ass are feeding?

    Good Christian, fear; for sinners here

    The silent Word is pleading.

    Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

    The cross be borne for me, for you;

    Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

    The babe, the son of Mary!

3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh: 

    Come, peasant, king, to own Him. 

    The King of kings salvation brings; 

    Let loving hearts enthrone Him. 

    Raise, raise the song on high, 

    The virgin sings her lullaby; 

    Joy, joy, for Christ is born, 

    The babe, the Son of Mary!

    (“What Child Is This,” Lutheran Service Book #370)

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for giving Your best to me. Please help me to thankfully give my best back to You, and to do it cheerfully. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 - BETHLEHEM PEACE

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 - Day 354 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 17:1-14; Psalm 141; 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:5)

BETHLEHEM PEACE

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.... And he shall be their peace.” (Micah 5:2 & 5a ESV)

We can safely predict that in five days, barring the Lord’s intervention, we will celebrate Christmas, the nativity of our Lord. Our verse for today is also a prophecy of Christ’s birth. Micah predicted that the Messiah (Jesus) would be born in Bethlehem about 700 years before that glorious event occurred!

Believers take great comfort in the prophecies of the Savior’s birth fulfilled some 2,000 years ago. 

● Jesus would be born of a virgin.  (Isaiah 7:14)

● Jesus would come from the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:10)

● Jesus would be a descendant of King David. (Jeremiah 23:5)

● And Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)

Yes, we find great peace in the fact that the Prince of Peace was, in fact, born in Bethlehem.

1. O little town of Bethlehem, 

    How still we see thee lie!  

    Above thy deep and dreamless sleep  

    The silent stars go by; 

    Yet in thy darkness shineth 

    The everlasting Light; 

    The hopes and fears of all the years 

    Are met in thee tonight. 

        

3. How silently, how silently, 

    The wondrous Gift is giv'n! 

    So God imparts to human hearts 

    The blessings of His heav'n. 

    No ear may hear His coming, 

    But in this world of sin, 

    Where meek souls will receive Him still, 

    The dear Christ enters in. 

4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, 

    Descend to us, we pray;

    Cast out our sin, and enter in, 

    Be born in us today.

    We hear the Christmas Angels, 

    The great glad tidings tell;

    O come to us, abide with us, 

    Our Lord Immanuel!

     (O Little Town of Bethlehem, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #361)

Almighty God, we praise You and thank You for fulfilling Your promise to send the Savior of mankind to Bethlehem. May I find great peace in all of Your promises fulfilled in Jesus, my Savior. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape 

Monday, December 19, 2022 - IS YOUR JOY IN CHRIST SHOWING?

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Monday, December 19, 2022 - Day 353 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 16:1-14; Psalm 140; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15)

IS YOUR JOY IN CHRIST SHOWING? 

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;

sing the glory of his name;

give to him glorious praise!

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!

So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.” (Psalm 66:1-3 ESV) 

The Psalmist encourages his readers to “shout for joy to God.” The reason for this joy are the awesome deeds of God. 

Many people are looking for joy, peace and happiness without Jesus. But Jesus is the only One whose awesome deeds involve the forgiveness of your sins and the promise of eternal life. And this gives you real, true, deep down joy.

Do not confuse Christian joy with mere happiness. Joy is far deeper and can be present even in the darkest of hours. Paul reflects this truth with these words first given to the Christians in Philippi: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”  (Philippians 8:3 ESV)

1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!  

     Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, 

     And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, 

     And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

2. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ,

     While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy,

     Repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground;

     He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found,

     Far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.

4. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove

     The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love,

     And wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.

Lord God, thank You for the joy of knowing Your mercy, forgiveness and promise of heaven! Please use me today to share the joy of Jesus with others today. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Sunday, December 18, 2022 - FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Sunday, December 18, 2022 - Day 352 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 14:24-15:9; Psalm 139; 2 Corinthians 7:2-16)

FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

“For you formed my inward parts;

    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

    my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

    the days that were formed for me,

    when as yet there was none of them.”   (Psalm 139:13-16 ESV) 

Life, what a precious gift from God! 

EVERY life, what a precious gift from God!

How precious? So precious that God the Father, the One who created life, sent His only begotten Son to redeem all who repent of their sins and believe their Savior.

1. God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ!

    He, because I could not pay it, gave my full redemption price.

    Do I need earth’s treasures many?  I have one worth more than any

    That brought me salvation free, Lasting to eternity!

2. Sin, disturb my soul no longer: I am baptized into Christ!

    I have comfort even stronger: Jesus’ cleansing sacrifice.

    Should a guilty conscience seize me, since my baptism did release me

    In a dear forgiving flood, sprinkling me with Jesus’ blood?

3. Satan, hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ!

    Drop your ugly accusation; I am not so soon enticed.

    Now that to the font I’ve traveled, all your might has come unraveled,

    And, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!

4. Death, you cannot end my gladness: I am baptized into Christ!

    When I die, I leave all sadness to inherit paradise!

    Though I lie in dust and ashes faith’s assurance brightly flashes:

    Baptism has the strength divine to make life immortal mine.

5.  There is nothing worth comparing to this lifelong comfort sure!

    Open-eyed my grave is staring: Even there I’ll sleep secure.

    Though my flesh awaits its raising, still my soul continues praising:

    I am baptized into Christ; I’m a child of paradise!

   (God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It, Lutheran Service Book #594)

Heavenly Father, thank You loving me and for giving me life. Please continue to bless me, body and soul. And use me to defend the lives of others, including the unborn. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape

Saturday, December 17, 2022 - OF THE FATHER’S LOVE BEGOTTEN

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

 

Saturday, December 17, 2022 - Day 351 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 14:12-23; Psalm 138; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

OF THE FATHER’S LOVE BEGOTTEN

1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;

    before the gods I sing your praise;

2 I bow down toward your holy temple

    and give thanks to your name for 

    your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

    for you have exalted above all things

    your name and your word.

3 On the day I called, you answered me;

    my strength of soul you increased.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,

    for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

    for great is the glory of the Lord.

6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,

    but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

    you preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,

    and your right hand delivers me.

8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

    Do not forsake the work of your hands. (Psalm 138 ESV)

The Psalmist has given us a picture of our God’s love for mankind, a divine love that knows no end. He also focuses on the opportunity that we have to respond with hymns of praise for His great glory. The hymn writer does the same thing is this precious Christmas hymn:

1. Of the Father's love begotten

Ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega,

He the source, the ending He,

Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see

Evermore and evermore.

2. Oh, that birth forever blessed,

When the virgin, full of grace,

By the Holy Ghost conceiving,

Bore the Savior of our race,

And the babe, the world's Redeemer,

First revealed His sacred face

Evermore and evermore.

3. This is He whom seers in old time

Chanted of with one accord,

Whom the voices of the prophets

Promised in their faithful word.

Now He shines, the long-expected;

Let creation praise its Lord

Evermore and evermore.

4. O ye heights of heav'n, adore Him;

Angel hosts, His praises sing,

Pow'rs, dominions, bow before Him

And extol our God and King.

Let no tongue on earth be silent,

Ev'ry voice in concert ring

Evermore and evermore.

5. Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,

And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee

Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving

And unending praises be,

Honor, glory, and dominion,

And eternal victory

Evermore and evermore.

(Of the Father’s Love Begotten, Lutheran Service Book #384)

Link to the hymn: https://youtu.be/cOF9JLJkPis

I give You thanks, O Lord God heavenly Father, with my whole heart, for the precious gift of Your Son Jesus. May my preparations for Christmas be an expression of unending praise, honor and glory to Him who is my Savior and my Lord. Amen.

“See” you in church tomorrow!

Pastor David Paape