 The Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Eve
Matthew 1:23 December 24, 2019 St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL In the name of + Jesus. Jesus is given a very special name in the weeks before He is born. The angel comes to Joseph and announces to him that his fiancée will have a child by the power of the Holy Spirit. He tells Joseph to name Him Jesus, “because He will save His people from their sins” (v 22). The name Jesus means, “The Lord saves,” and that is a special name, but there’s another name that He will receive. In fact, it had been given to him long ago by the prophet Isaiah.
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Advent 4
John 1:19–28 December 22, 2019 St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL In the name of + Jesus. This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” (vv 19–23). Stop right there. 
Advent 3
Matthew 11:2–11 December 15, 2019 St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL In the name of + Jesus. If you’ve been a Christian for a minute you can testify that life doesn’t necessarily improve once Jesus is a part of it. In fact, most conversion testimonies—the kind that tell the story of a person inviting Jesus into their lives to put away drugs or alcohol or some such thing—are usually premature. For most Christians, your biggest failure still lies ahead of you.  Advent 2
Luke 21:25–36 December 8, 2019 St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL In the name of + Jesus. Did you see the fireball in the sky the other night? Some folks got it recorded on their doorbell cams, but when I checked my log, I only found the regular foot traffic going up and down Montrose. Years ago I got to see something like that. Coincidentally, it was on the Fourth of July as I and some friends were getting ready to watch fireworks. It was still fairly light out, and there was a greenish flash across the sky. We thought it was the fireworks started early, except it was way too fast and above the clouds. For a long while I thought I had seen a UFO. I guess it was, technically speaking.
A Service of Light One of the oldest hymns of the Christian Church, other than the hymns found in Scripture itself, is called the Phos Hilaron. It is mentioned in the fourth century, but likely existed long before that time. It was a hymn for the evening, as the Christians lit their candles and lamps at sunset and remembered that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome, as the Gospel for Christmas says (John 1:5). The hymn was originally in the Greek language, but is found in two different English translations in Lutheran Service Book. The first is in the service of Evening Prayer—”Joyous light of glory.” We will use this service for our Advent services at 4:30 p.m. this Advent season. The second place is hymn #888. O gladsome Light, O Grace Of God the Father’s face Eternal splendor wearing: Celestial, holy, blest, Our Savior Jesus Christ, Joyful in Thine appearing! As daylight turns to night, We see the fading light, Our evening hymn outpouring, Father of might unknown, Thee, His incarnate Son, And Holy Ghost adoring. To Thee of right belongs All praise of holy songs, O Son of God, Lifegiver; Thee, therefore, O Most High, The world doth glorify And shall exalt forever. In the old hymnal (TLH, 1941) this hymn was in the Christmas section. While it is an appropriate hymn for any time of the year, Christmas is when it really shines. This year, we will use this hymn in a ceremonial candle-lighting for the Christmas Eve candlelight service along with some responses for Christmas and a prayer of thanksgiving for light before we close with Silent Night. I think it will be a very poignant moment, and I hope you feel the same way! To familiarize yourself with this hymn, you can listen on Youtube.  Advent 1
Matthew 21:1–9 December 1, 2019 St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL In the name of + Jesus. Only Christianity can have a season called Advent.
Last Sunday of the Church Year
Matthew 25:1–13 November 24, 2019 St. John’s Lutheran Church—Chicago, IL In the name of + Jesus. It’s hard to tell a fool that he’s a fool. They don’t tend to take that sort of criticism very well. In fact, most fools think that they’re quite wise. A good chunk of internet traffic is precisely this: fools pretending to be wise. So the question that is begged is, are you really as wise as you think you are? Assuming that you’re wise, perhaps you’re making a fool out of yourself, and no one is willing to tell you because fools can’t be told that they’re fools. |
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