Isaiah 9:2-7

When God's prophet Isaiah spoke about the birth of Jesus he said, "You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders."

Whatever burden you're carrying this Christmas, know that Jesus was born to shatter it. Christmas means the weight is over!

Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew gives us the PG-13 version of Christmas. Listen to find out why. Listen to the mess a conflicted, scared Joseph finds himself in. Listen to hear how a Savior born under messy circumstances cleans up our messes. Listen to find out why we can prepare fearlessly for our Savior's birth like Joseph did.

Matthew 11:2-11

God's Word helps to prepare patiently. Like John the Baptist, we may want to see the judgment, power, and glory immediately. And yet, just as those things came after the defeat, denial, and sacrifice for Jesus, so they did for John and so they will for us. As we wait, we don't always see God's plan for our lives. As a result we must patiently cling to his promises.

Matthew 3:1-12

During Advent, John the Baptist helps us to prepare productively. The production God wants is fruit that grows out of a repentant heart. Through the warnings of his law and the comforting assurance of his gospel, God turns us into healthy trees that will naturally and inevitably produce all kinds of good fruit. John the Baptist may come across as harsh in his preaching of repentance but his ultimate goal is to point us to the Savior.

Romans 13:11-14

Getting ready for "the most wonderful time of the year" might leave you with less sleep than usual. And that means it can be even harder to wake up in the morning.

While we might wish we could go the next month without any sleep, that's impossible. However, it is possible to wait for Jesus without any spiritual sleep. Jesus' presence among us now in Word and Sacraments enables us to wait for his arrival on the last day as wide awake. Scripture encourages us: "Night is nearly over; the day is almost here!"

Psalm 118

Many Christians use these words from Psalm 118 to return thanks to God after eating a meal. "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever."

Jesus gives us reason to have "big picture thanksgiving." But we also have everyday thanksgiving. Even on days we don't feel happy or thankful we can still say, "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Each new day is one we get to live under the Lord's goodness and love.

Psalm 23

Our Good Shepherd is with us to provide for us, protect us, and give us peace. And if there's any doubt that, Jesus shows us just how masterfully he fulfills every word of this comforting Psalm. Walk along with your shepherd today.

Psalm 63:1-8

Someone lost in the desert would have single-minded purpose: find water! In our walks of life, we will sometimes have to trek through emotional and spiritual deserts. We might feel parched for hope. This is when we long for God. We long for his promises to be upheld. We long for his deliverance.

The good news is that God longs for you and me even more than we long for him!

Psalm 46

Martin Luther loved Psalm 46. He would turn to this song when he felt discouraged or that his work was in vain. In this song of faith, God assures his people that even if all seems lost, even if everything comes crashing down, that those who find refuge in God will stand secure.

We will stand secure in God's promises in his Word.

We will stand secure in God's proclamation of righteousness through faith in Christ.

"The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

Psalm 1:1-3

A tree planted in a good spot gets all the nutrients it needs to survive and thrive. That's the picture Psalm 1 gives for a person who is planted in God's Word - who delights in it. For the fuel we need to get through a busy life, we need to be planted in God's Word.