Christ For You

Introit: Ps. 8:1, 4-6; antiphon: Ps. 8:2

Gradual: Ps. 106:47; Is. 63:16b

Old Testament: Gen. 46:1-7

Psalm 77:11-20 (antiphon: v. 13)

Epistle: 1 Peter 4:12-19

ProperVerse: Ps. 145:21

Gospel: Matt. 2:13-23

Jesus Is the Perfect Israel

Israel and all his family went and dwelt in Egypt (Gen. 46:1-7). God made a great nation of him there, but that nation would prove unfaithful to the Lord. Therefore, the New Israel came. In fleeing the murderous Herod, our young Lord goes to Egypt (Matt. 2:13-23), that the prophecy might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my Son" (Hos. 11:1). Jesus brings to perfection what old Israel could not. He is the faithful Israel, the embodiment of the people of God. He offers His perfect and holy life in place of our own. He submits Himself to persecution and suffering in order to save us. Therefore, we should not think it strange when we who are in Christ experience trials because of the faith (1 Pet. 4:12-19). Rather, we rejoice to share in Christ's sufferings, knowing that we will also share in His glory.

Introit: Ps. 93:1, 3-4; antiphon: Ps. 93:5, 2

Gradual: Ps. 45:2a, 1b

Old Testament: Is. 11:1-5

      or 2 Sam. 7:1-16

Psalm 89:1-8 (antiphon: v. 8)

Epistle: Gal. 4:1-7

ProperVerse: Ps. 93:1

Gospel: Luke 2:(22-32) 33-40

The Seed of David Comes to His Temple

A Rod has come forth from the stem of Jesse (Is. 11:1-5)-the Seed of David whose kingdom shall be established forever (2 Sam. 7:1-16). In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son Jesus to redeem us from the judgment of the Law (Gal. 4:1-7). Now He is presented in the temple in fulfillment of the Law and revealed to be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:22-40). Christ has enlightened us in baptism, giving us to be adopted as sons of God and heirs of eternal life. Receiving the Holy Sacrament of His body and blood, we are prepared to depart this world in peace, for our eyes have seen the salvation of God in Him.

Introit: Ps. 24:1, 3-5; antiphon: Ps. 2:6-7

Gradual: Ps. 98:3b, 4a, 2

Old Testament: Is. 7:10-14

Psalm 110:1-4 (antiphon: v. 2a)

Epistle: 1 John 4:7-16

ProperVerse: Ps. 2:7

Gospel: Matt. 1:18-25

The Word of the Lord Is Fulfilled in the Flesh of Jesus

Though Ahaz would not ask, the Lord gives a sign to the house of David, that "the Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Is. 7:14). With this promise, He signifies that salvation is by His grace alone; it is no work or achievement of man, but the Lord's own work and free gift. The promise is fulfilled as the Son of God is conceived and born of the Virgin Mary, and the sign is received in faith by the house of David in the person of Joseph (Matt. 1:20-24). "Incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary" (Nicene Creed), God is with us (Immanuel) in the flesh of Jesus, Mary's Son. Joseph believes that Word of God and so demonstrates a marvelous example in his immediate and quiet obedience, taking Mary to be his wife and caring for her in faith and love. He loves her because the love of God is manifest in this, that "the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world," "to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10).

Introit: Ps. 24:1, 3-5; antiphon: Ps. 2:6-7

Gradual: Ps. 98:3b, 4a, 2

Old Testament: Is. 7:10-14

Psalm 110:1-4 (antiphon: v. 2a)

Epistle: 1 John 4:7-16

ProperVerse: Ps. 2:7

Gospel: Matt. 1:18-25

The Word of the Lord Is Fulfilled in the Flesh of Jesus

Though Ahaz would not ask, the Lord gives a sign to the house of David, that "the Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Is. 7:14). With this promise, He signifies that salvation is by His grace alone; it is no work or achievement of man, but the Lord's own work and free gift. The promise is fulfilled as the Son of God is conceived and born of the Virgin Mary, and the sign is received in faith by the house of David in the person of Joseph (Matt. 1:20-24). "Incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary" (Nicene Creed), God is with us (Immanuel) in the flesh of Jesus, Mary's Son. Joseph believes that Word of God and so demonstrates a marvelous example in his immediate and quiet obedience, taking Mary to be his wife and caring for her in faith and love. He loves her because the love of God is manifest in this, that "the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world," "to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10).

Gaudete

Introit: Ps. 85:1-2, 6, 8; antiphon: Phil. 4:4-5\rGradual: Ps. 80:1-2

Old Testament: Is. 40:1-8 (9-11)

Psalm 85 (antiphon: v. 9)

Epistle: 1 Cor. 4:1-5

ProperVerse: Ps. 80:2b

Gospel: Matt. 11:2-10 (11)

John the Baptizer Prepares the Way for the Lord

The voice of the Baptizer cried out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord . . ." (Isa. 40:1). John called the people to be made ready for the Messiah's coming through repentance, for "all flesh is grass" (Isa. 40:6). Now He asks from prison, "Are you the one who is to come . . .?" (Matt. 11:2). Jesus' works bear witness that He is. The sick are made well; the dead are raised, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Their iniquity is pardoned; they have received from the Lord's hand double forgiveness for all their sins. The "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1) still deliver Christ's overflowing forgiveness to the poor in spirit, comforting God's people with the word of the Gospel which stands forever. This Gospel produces rejoicing among all those who believe.

Populus Zion

Introit: Ps. 80:1, 3, 14, 17; antiphon: Is. 62:11b; 30:30, 29

Gradual: Ps. 50:2-3a , 5

Old Testament: Mal. 4:1-6

Psalm 50:1-15 (antiphon: v. 15)

Epistle: Rom. 15:4-13

ProperVerse: Luke 21:26b-27

Gospel: Luke 21:25-36

The Lord Comes on the Last Day\rThe day on which our Lord returns will be a "great and awesome day" (Mal. 4:5). For He will come in a cloud with great power and glory. To the wicked and the proud, it will be a Day of judgment that will "set them ablaze" (Mal. 4:1). The signs preceding this Day will bring them fear and fainting. But to those who believe, who fear the name of the Lord, this Day is one to look forward to and rejoice in: ". . . straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28). Christ our Redeemer is coming; the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings. Let us, then, give attention to the words of the Lord, which do not pass away. Let us "through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures" (Rom. 15:4) be strengthened in our hope by the Holy Spirit and watch diligently for Jesus' coming. Then, by God's grace, we shall escape all these things that will come to pass and stand before the Son of Man.

Midweek Advent 1—"Marriage"

Ad Te Levavi

Introit: Ps. 25:4-5, 21-22; antiphon: Ps. 25:1-3a

Gradual: Ps. 25:3-4

Old Testament: Jer. 23:5-8

Psalm 24 (antiphon: v. 7)

Epistle: Rom. 13:(8-10) 11-14

ProperVerse: Ps. 85:7

Gospel: Matt. 21:1-9

The Lord Jesus Comes in Humility to Redeem Us

The new Church Year begins by focusing on the humble coming of our Lord. "Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey" (Matt. 21:5). Even as He was born in a lowly manger, so Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a beast of burden. For He bears the sin of the world. He is the Son of David riding to His enthronement on the cross, where He shows Himself to be "The LORD is our Righteousness" (Jer. 23:5-6). Our Lord still comes in great humility to deliver His righteousness to us in the Word and Sacraments. Before receiving Christ's body and blood, we also sing, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matt. 21:9) And as we receive the Sacrament, we set our hearts on His return in glory, for "our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed" (Rom. 13:11).