Asides

Christmas

Christmas Day

Aside

Collect: Proper 2

Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with free hearts these things which belongs to your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

Isaiah 62:6-12 . . . an expression of great expectation and rejoicing: salvation comes to Jerusalem

Psalm 97 . . . The awesome Lord and Ruler who brings judgement and light to the righteous.

Titus 3:4-7 . . . a summary of the story of our salvation.

Luke 2:1-20 . . .  the story of the birth  of Jesus amid humble circumstances.

A YouTube Sermon:  Jesus, what a Christmas Promise, by Scott UMC

The Angels’ Sermon is the Christian’s Song –  A documented Sermon by Pastor Rolf Preus

After Reading these Christmas sermons (day 1 and day 2), and having some idea about this Liturgical Season’s teaching and purpose, I hear  God’s voice inviting me to come consciously home. I heard it today and I heard it yesterday.  I’ll hear it tomorrow, and the rest of this Christmas season.   I feel I am hearing  John the Baptist, in the wilderness, asking me to bring my shadows to the fore.  I feel compelled to confess my sins and give thanks (The-general-thanksgiving prayer) and begin my personal purification process, anew.

 

 

 

Christmas

Christmas Eve

Aside

Collect: Proper I

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us (what you intend us to be) and not what we deserve; and, as you have called us to your service, make us worthy of our calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Isaiah 9:2-7 A hymn of thanksgiving. The prophet hails the one born to be ruler of his people.  His reign will end oppression and bring justice, righteousness, and lasting peace

Psalm 96 A song of praise to the Lord in which the whole heavens and earth are invited to join.

Titus 2:11-14 Two comings of Christ: first in his sacrificial ministry for all people and then the glory.  Disciples are enabled to free themselves from the ways of evil. Disciplined and eager to do good, they look forward to the fulfillment of the hope God has given to the world in Jesus.

Luke 2: 1-14 (15-20) The 1st coming: birth amid very humble human circumstances.  An Angel announces the joyful news of the Saviors birth.

Sermon preached at 11pm on Christmas Eve 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church in McHenry, IL by the Reverend George F. Borghardt III. Merry Christmas!

 

Advent

Lectionary Readings for December 18

Aside 2 Comments

Emmanuel Sunday

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman[a] shall conceive and bear[b] a son, and shall call his name Imman′u-el.  (Isaiah 7:14)

Collect: IV Advent

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen

Isaiah 7:10-16 – the prophet insist that King Ahaz of Judah will receive a sign from God, whether he wants it or not, the sign of a young women bearing a son called, Emmanual.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 – A lament and a plea to the Lord, the shepherd of Israel, that God will turn away divine anger and restore the people.

Romans 1:1-7 – Paul greets the new disciples in Rome and summarizes the gospel message

Matthew 1:18-25 – the story of the birth of Jesus.

Two Sermons:

Homily-for-the-4th-sunday-of-advent   by Fr. Charles Irvin,  Senior Priest  Diocese of Lansing

The Son of Adam

Collect: 7th Sunday of the extended Advent Season

Eternal God, you do not abandon us in exile but hear our plea for return and rest: Visit us we pray with your presence and raise us to greet with hope and joy the promised day of salvation; through Jesus Christ, who with you and th4e Holy Spirit, lives and reigns now and forever. Amen

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, (Mathew 1:2)