Tuesday, December 24, 2024 - ALMOST THERE

"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 24, 2024 - Day 358 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Zephaniah; Rev. 15)

ALMOST THERE

“The Lord your God is in your midst,

    a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

    he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)

The prophet Zephaniah wrote words descriptive of what the birth we are about to celebrate brought to this sin-darkened world of ours. The prophet Isaiah put it this way: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 ESV)

The name Immanuel means “God with us.” Zephaniah’s words truly express our joy as we gather to worship today and tomorrow:

“The Lord your God is in your midst,

    a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

    he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing.”

I hope and pray that you can join God’s people in loudly singing the praises of Christ the newborn king!

  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!"

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for this holy night. Please fill me with Your peace and joy this night and always. In the name of Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem. Amen.

“See’ you in church tonight!

Pastor David Paape