Advent Devotional

Sunday, December 3

Jeremiah 33:14-16

[14] The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. [15] In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. [16] In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."

God’s Promise

“The days are coming…” If Jeremiah spoke these words today, I wouldn’t suppose they would have as much hope as they may have had in past. We live in a world of immediate gratification. The wait for anything nowadays is always too long.

I was wondering when the last time I planted something on my own and watched it grow from start to finish: 3rd Grade in Mr. Werner’s class. We were all given an opportunity to grow a small little plant. For the life of me, I can’t remember what it was, but I remember the waiting. Yet, back then I wasn’t so anxious; I actually enjoyed coming to class each day to see when the seed would break through the soil and then produce its first leaf. That project wasn’t the end result; it was about the process.

Though Christ, the “righteous Branch sprout from David’s line” has come, we wait now for him to come again. May we wait with expectation from this moment until that day and not hold contempt one opportunity to watch things grow.

Andrew Potsko

Monday, December 4

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Our New Name

“The Lord is Our Righteousness.” This may be a stretch for some of you, but I will offer my thoughts nonetheless.

I like to play HALO II, an online game that allows those who desire to unleash the virtual warrior within them to battle against others from around the world. There is not much of a point to the game, except that you’re fighting for your virtual life. Many noobs (new players) don’t have a chance against those who have logged in thousands of hours on the game. I, too, was once a noob; I’d be sniped the moment I re-spawned after my last death. But, even today, verily, even after logging in hundreds of hours upon this life-sucking game, I still struggle to stay alive among some ferocious warriors. But, I am thankful for the days there are people out there who preserve my life and fight for me on my behalf when I am powerless against the terrible wrath of uber-HALO-gamers. My point:

Just as Judah and Jerusalem were being swallowed up by the great empires around them, God was fighting for them, preserving them before the nations. And now, Christ is our Righteousness, our Fortress, and our strength in such dark days when people seek our lives.

Andrew Potsko

Tuesday, December 5

I Thessalonians 3:9-13

[9] How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? [10] Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
[11] Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. [12] And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. [13] And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Jesus, Increase Love

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Solomon said that there were four things that never say ENOUGH!: The grave, the barren womb, the land's thirst for water and the fire for material to burn. For the Christian there is a ceaseless yearning for more love from God and for God.

What exactly is the nature of this love? Our text uses the word agape or a love that is only in God. This is love not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son for us as an atoning sacrifice for our sin (1 John 4:10). St. Paul calls this love an inexpressible gift: that Jesus would suffer and die the sinner's death and thereby change us from enemies into friends, from takers into givers, from aliens into children of the heavenly family. This is only understood by the love in God's heart. St. Paul's prayer is that we would abound in such God-given love for one another and for all.

During the Great Depression of the 1930's when thirty-five percent of the nation's workforce was unemployed and many were literally starving, our pastor taught us that Christian love required that we share our substance with the needy in our fellowship and in the community.

Charity—love and compassion for widows, orphans, street people, the poor and the needy—points back to Jesus who said: “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” In times of disaster, is it just coincidence that Christian America is first on the site with food, water and rescue teams? Since the needs exceed the resources, we continue to pray, “Jesus increase our love.”

Love divine, all love excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down. Fix in us your humble dwelling, and your faithful mercies crown. Jesus, you are all compassion, pure unbounded love you art. Visit us with your salvation, and enter every trembling heart.

Pastor Al Lindemann

Wednesday, December 6

I Thessalonians 3:9-13

Holiness

Holiness! Holiness is what I long for. The word for holiness used in verse 13 is a word that speaks about the character of holiness which is so strong in the individual that the very heart is strengthened. We know the expression “Take Heart.” We are not familiar with “Take Holy.” But, if our hearts are so strengthened in Jesus, the two expressions are the same. God has made us HOLY! Holiness, Holiness is what describes me. To God be the Glory for that!

Holy Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, increase in me today that holiness which is your work and your gift in me. Make me your instrument of holiness in others’ lives today. Amen.

Pastor Don

Thursday, December 7

Luke 21:25-28

[25] "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. [26] People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [27] Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. [28] Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Signs!

Just prior to this passage, Jesus has been talking with his disciples and prophesying the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem—which actually occurred about 50 years after his death and resurrection. And, in these verses, he refers to his second coming. He warns them that there will be many signs.

Many contemporary fundamental Christians think (perhaps wishfully) that the second coming of Christ will happen in our lifetime, based on the “signs” of our times. And, we do have to admit that these times seem to fulfill Jesus’ prophesy—wars, earthquakes, famines. But, the reality is that these “signs” have always been with us. There have ALWAYS been wars, pestilence, earthquakes, nation attacking nation, famine, brother betraying brother, children rebelling against their parents. Doesn't that sound familiar?

But, in this passage, Jesus was impressing on his disciples that they should always be on their guard. The point is that it shouldn’t matter to us when the second coming of Christ occurs—tomorrow, a thousand years from now, or tens of thousands of years—the apostles (and we) must continue to believe in Jesus and proclaim His gospel regardless of what happens. We won’t know when the end will occur—whether it is the end of the age, or more personally, the end of our individual life. We always need to be on our guard so that “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39).

Pat Brunner

Friday, December 8

Luke 21:29-36

[29] Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; [30] as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. [31] So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. [32] Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. [33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
[34] "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, [35] like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. [36] Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Be Alert!

What are the signs you look for, signs of God’s presence in your life, in the world? What are the signs that Jesus is keeping His word, “I am with you always?” How do you stay alert for those signs? What do you do to remind yourself that Christ is with you? When are you aware of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment in your life? We are not alert only for dangers. We are also alert for the blessings God places in our lives and for the blessing of his company. We are also alert for the moments and movements of heart and spirit, offering the Lord our praise and worship.

Oh Holy Spirit, keep me awake and alert to both the dangers of this life and the wonder that you are with me always, together with the Father and the Son. Allow me to be a blessing to others, present to them today for their good. Amen.

Pastor Don

Saturday, December 9

Psalm 2

[1] Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
[2] The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
[3] "Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us."

[4] He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord has them in derision.
[5] Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
[6] "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill."

[7] I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, "You are my son;
today I have begotten you.
[8] Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
[9] You shall break them with a rod of iron,
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."

[10] Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
[11] Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling [12] kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Happy are all who take refuge in him.

Who Is The Son?

“You are my son.” King David, who penned this Psalm, would have understood these words applying to him as King of Israel. God considered Israel His son, and the King of Israel represented the whole nation. Of course, in Christ the King and Savior, Israel (all Israel, Old and New Testament people of God) is again ‘shrunk down’ into one who is the Son of God. Through this Jesus we look back to Psalm 2 and see Jesus there; we hear the Father speak to the Son, “You are my son, today I have begotten you.” Through Jesus we hear God speaking to us as well. Through the gift of His Son, God makes us his children. I remember well the delight I felt at the birth of each of our children. God has such delight over us.

Dear Lord God, thank you for loving us, for delighting in our being, for creating us in your image of Love. Amen.

Pastor Don

Sunday, December 10

Malachi 3:1-4

[1] See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight--indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. [2] But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; [3] he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. [4] Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

God’s Messenger

The messenger foretold in this passage is fulfilled in John the Baptist. He came before our Lord to prepare the way for his teachings. In this he was a messenger from God to let His people know of the coming of our Savior. “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:7-8). God has made us all messengers of Jesus. Before his ascension, he told his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Through our baptism, we have become disciples of Jesus and now have taken on the job of messenger that was entrusted to John. In this time of Advent, we should give glory to God that He would send His Son to give us salvation, and it is our duty to proclaim God’s word and to continue the post of God’s messenger.

Andrew Schatz

Monday, December 11

Malachi 3:1-4

Lord, Purify!

The Levites had strayed from the message Levi had first started preaching: “But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi” (Malachi 2:8). These messengers had strayed from God and instead had started preaching a message that was not about Him. However, God sent Jesus to “purify the descendants of Levi.” Jesus came to us out of God’s grace to bestow upon us salvation that we should be purged of our sins, and He refined us as the purest gold and silver. Jesus came not only to cleanse the sins of the Levites, but the sins of all humans. During this time of Advent, take a moment to reflect and realize that Jesus has purified us from our sins so that any sin we have committed in the past, present and future has already been paid for. He has cleansed us from our sins and has created us anew.

Andrew Schatz

Tuesday, December 12

Philippians 1:6

[6] I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

God Began a Good Work In Us

God began a good work in us as God’s Children, and, in doing this as well as being a living example while we are here on Earth, we will one day bring all that we have done to the Glory of God and to its completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord, in this Advent Season let us remember that you began a good work in us and that we will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Cheryl Krogh

Wednesday, December 13

Philippians 1:9-11

[9] And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight [10] to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, [11] having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Pure & Blameless

In this section of his letter to the Philippians, Paul exhorts them and all Christians to live a life worthy of the gospel, the fulfillment of which we anticipate in this Advent season. Real Christian love grows and matures as we gain understanding of how we are to live as God’s chosen people. It is because of Christ’s sacrifice that we must put forth every effort to live a holy life. God has given us a great gift in the salvation of Jesus Christ—grace with no strings attached. Yet, to Paul, divine grace and human effort are reciprocal. Colossians 3:1-4 reads, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God…For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.” Since we were born again to a new life in Christ, we are called then to live a truly honorable life so that the righteousness of God is realized in us. Salvation is not a one-time act; it is an ongoing activity whereby we are direct participants with the continued help of God. The return of Christ will signal the completion of this work, and God’s righteousness will be fulfilled through His people. As we prepare for our Savior, let us remember that this gift comes with a responsibility—that we should grow in Christ so that we are given the power to live lives worthy of our redemption and, ultimately, to obtain our citizenship in Heaven.

Megan Bartlett

Thursday, December 14

Luke 3:2b-3

[2b] the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [3] He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

The Word of God Came

Does the Word of God ever come to you? Do you ever find yourself suddenly thinking of a verse or two of Scripture? Do you ever discover yourself musing on the Lord and His will and way, and, in the midst of that, recalling some passage, small or large, from the Bible? Does the Word come to you in the Person of Jesus, the Word Incarnate? The Word of the Lord still comes, through the Scripture, through the Sacraments. Are we listening?

Dear Lord God, help our hearing so that we are always aware that you send your Word to us, and help us to attend to that Word and do what it says. Amen.

Pastor Don

Friday, December 15

Luke 3:4-6

[4] as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
[5] Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
[6] and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "

Prepare the Lord’s Way

Prepare ye the way of the LORD. In both Godspell the musical and Handel‘s Messiah this solo is sung by a tenor preparing the audience for the music to come. In Godspell the soloist chants out “Pre-ee-ee-pare ye the way of the LORD. Pre-ee-ee-pare ye the way of the LORD,” and soon the rest of the cast joins him on stage for a rollicking round of this phrase. In Messiah the soloist goes to the top and bottom of the tenor range in a roller coaster of sixteenth notes and then gets to catch his breath while the altos lead the rest of the choir into the first chorale piece. Both pieces of music get your attention for the wonderful story to come, that all flesh shall see the salvation of GOD.

Dear LORD, as we prepare for the awesome and wonderful birth of Your son, let us find not only solemnity but delight as well. Amen.

Joanne Welty

Saturday, December 16

Psalm 24:7-10

[7] Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
[8] Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
[9] Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
[10] Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.

Who is This King of Glory?

Lift up your heads, O ye gates. Again, from Messiah, the men and women of the choir ask the musical question back and forth, “Who is the King of Glory?” The answer, “He is the King of Glory,” has the sopranos and altos and tenors and basses musically weaving that sentence for two-and-a-half pages, ending with an emphatic singing of the phrase “of glory.” In my copy of Messiah, I have the word rit for retard or slow down written in capitol letters over this phrase. Let’s all slow down for a moment to consider this King...of...Glory.

Dear LORD, in this Advent season let us remember not only to pray but also to lift up our heads to Your glory. Amen.

Joanne Welty

Sunday, December 17

Zephaniah 3:17

[17] The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing

God Sings Over You

Remember the words of Jesus at the close of Matthew’s Gospel: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The ancient prophet Zephaniah knew this promise. He proclaimed the presence of Yahweh in the midst of the people. So, Jesus came among us. That is good news. Christ Jesus is God’s Word Incarnate, in the flesh. What is God saying in Christ? Or, in the language of Zephaniah, what is God singing in Christ? He is singing of gladness, his gladness; he is exulting over us with loud singing. My wife and I live with 2 young men who shall remain nameless here. They like to listen to the music loud. It is a wonder that we cannot hear God singing over us. What does that say about us, if God Himself is exulting over us with LOUD singing?

Thank you Lord for the sound of your song and the bright loudness of your voice in exultation over us. Who are we, that the King of the Universe should delight in us? We are your children through Jesus. Thank you Lord for the sound of your song and the bright loudness of your voice in exultation over us. Amen.

Pastor Don

Monday, December 18

Zephaniah 3:20

[20] At that time I will bring you home,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes, says the Lord.

Bring Us Home Lord!

Bring it home! It’s another way we have of saying, “Finish well,” “Don’t give up,” “Finish the race.” Well the Lord is bringing us home this Advent Season. Remember the Christmas carol “I’ll be home for Christmas?” The Lord is bringing that sentiment HOME in Christ. In Christ God restored us to himself as children; He brought us home. Every day, the Lord journeys with us, and, whatever our day finds and experiences, the Lord brings us home. Never forget where home is.

Dear Lord God, thank you for bringing us home in Jesus. And thank you during this Advent season for the renewed understanding that our home is both here and now, as well as in Heaven with you. Amen.

Pastor Don

Tuesday, December 19

Philippians 4:4-5

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. [5] Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Joy!

Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice. The first time I ever sang this as a round for a church service was years and years ago. Wally Kamprath asked if I knew it, and I had to say, “Not yet.” The first run through, the choir sections got confused about which line of music they were singing as we wove “Rejoice” back and forth, and we dissolved into giggles. Well, we’re supposed to be merry at Christmas time, aren’t we? The second time through, we got it and went on and on and on to be sure we had it.

Dear LORD, in this wonderful Advent season, let us go on and on and on with our rejoicing. Amen.

Joanne Welty

Wednesday, December 20

Philippians 4:7

[7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace Guards

In the secular world the words peace and guard are often interpreted in a military context. War and civil unrest worldwide are in the news on a daily basis, and they consume much of our conscious thought. But, the words peace and guard in this passage from Philippians have a totally different and more significant context.

God’s love for you and me as illustrated in the life and person of Christ Jesus allows us to claim “true” peace. Peace in knowing God has adopted us as His children and sees us as perfect through the blood of Christ. Not only has He claimed us, but He continues to guard us—holding us securely in the palm of His hands, safe from everything and everyone—confident nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for claiming us as your children and promising to be with us even to the end of the age—hold us firmly in your hands, protecting us from the evil surrounding us. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

Dick Lootens

Thursday, December 21

Luke 3:8-9

[8] Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. [9] Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

Faith Fruit

Our anticipation for Christmas has been ripening these weeks of Advent. Christmas Eve and Day are so close now that we feel their pull. We may have trees at home with gifts abounding spread beneath them. Those gifts are the fruit of our love for one another. One of the Advent fruits that the Lord would grow in us through faith is humility. It will not do to count the gifts and see how many are for us. It will not do to live as though we are the reason for the season, in this season of the year or any other.

Holy God, may our faith bear fruit for humility and gratitude. May you work in us to love and bless those with whom we share our homes, our jobs, and our life together in your Church. Amen.

Pastor Don

Friday, December 22

Luke 3:16

[16] John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Signs of Jesus’ Power

At Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit and know that our heavenly Father has made us His own. The Holy Spirit living within us puts His testimony in our hearts empowering our words and actions.

His power becomes our power. We become one of the signs of Jesus’ Power!

It is that power that we rely on when sharing our faith with others. The eloquence of our words is of little matter because, through the power of the Holy Spirit, any words we speak can be seeds planting faith in the heart of the hearer. As God’s children all we are called to do is to walk our talk and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to use us for God’s glory.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending Jesus to baptize with the Holy Spirit—claiming us as your own—and empowering us to reflect your love to those around us. We pray in the name of Christ our Lord, Amen.

Dick Lootens

Saturday, December 23

Psalm 45:2

[2] You are the most handsome of men;
grace is poured upon your lips;
therefore God has blessed you forever.

God-Blessed

I can just imagine the men of Trinity, standing before the mirror each morning and intoning the first line of this Psalm-verse: You are the most handsome of men! Now there is self-esteem for you! We look ahead to tomorrow, and we see Jesus in the mirror of these words from Psalm 45. The eternal Son, the most handsome of men, is Coming! What a contrast to Isaiah 53 in Lent: “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” But, in the truth of Isaiah 53 do we discover the very beauty of our God, of such love that would send His Son into the world, this one who is the ‘most handsome of men,’ to become one who ‘had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him.’ It is His love that attracts us to Him. Jesus is God-Blessed love for us.

Holy Jesus, we look upon the child in the manger vicariously through the familiar Christmas story, and we are all, young and old alike, touched. Oh Lord, come with us each day. May the picture of your love adorn the life we lead in this world. Amen.

Pastor Don

Sunday, December 24

Isaiah 9:2

[2] The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness--
on them light has shined.

Christmas Eve

Star light, star bright cannot equal the wonder of this night. Unless, of course, one is talking about the Epiphany star. But, that’s for January 6. Today is Christmas Eve. Parents are once again wondering how to get to work, make sure the kids are cared for, get home at the end of the day, get everyone to church, and get home to continue the celebration. The key word in that last sentence is the word continue. Today is a day for the Light of the World, Jesus, to break into your day consciously. Christ has come for you, to illuminate your heart, mind and soul, to show you the Way, to cause you to stop, and wonder.

Precious Lord Jesus, thank you for the light that shines on me today. May the sun’s light always remind me of your presence. May the wonder of this day, which never lessens as I age, ever captivate me and impel me to worship and praise you and the Father and the Spirit. Amen.

Pastor Don

Monday, December 25

Luke 2:15-18

[15] When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." [16] So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. [17] When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; [18] and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

Christmas Day

“Let’s go. Let’s see. Let’s tell.” Those three phrases can sum up the shepherds. They saw the angels, heard the message, and said, “Let’s go…” The Word of God, living and active, makes a living and active people. Today, may the Word of God in the voice of the angels have you saying, “Let’s go…to church!” They heard the good news about Jesus, and they wanted to see with their own eyes. So, we need also to see with our own eyes, to worship with the church, to witness the God of wonders who does wonders in our lives. Today, may you also say, “Let’s see…through the Word the wonder of God, the Word in the flesh!” Finally, the shepherds left, telling everyone everything they had HEARD and SEEN. Who will you tell, today?

Awesome God, we do not need angels. We SEE Jesus. We do not need a map. We know the way to church; we know the way to our hearts and souls where we will find you. We are the sermon today, not the text, which is always Jesus, but we are the message, for in us the good news of God in Christ has taken root. Thanks and praise to you, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pastor Don