I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord”
Psalm 122:1
Scripture Readings For the Week:
Isaiah 52:6-10
Hebrews 1:1-12
John 1:1-14
God says, “My people shall know my name, behold it is I.” His name is Jesus, for He saves His people from their sins. The people of God break forth into joy because we have seen our salvation. The angels worship the child who was laid in the manger and we join our voices to theirs because we have seen beheld His glory, glroy as the only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Prayer of the Day:
Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymns
379 O Come, All Ye Faithful
382 We Praise You Jesus, At Your Birth
388 Go Tell It on the Mountain
373 See Amidst the Winter Snow
391 Rejoice Rejoice this Happy Morn
Bach Cantata for the Week
BWV 91 Christen, ätzet diesen Tag (Translation source)
- Chorus [Verse 1] (S, A, T, B)
All glory to thee, Jesus Christ,
For thou man today wast born,
Born of a virgin, that is sure,
Thus joyful is the angel host.
Kyrie eleis!
- Recit. and Chorale Verse 2
The light of highest majesty,
The image of God’s very being,
Hath, when the time was full,
Himself a dwelling found and chosen.
Th’eternal Father’s only child
Th’eternal light of light begotten,
Who now in the crib is found.
Ye mortals, now behold
What here the power of love hath done!
Within our wretched flesh and blood,
(And was this flesh then not accursed, condemned, and fallen?)
Doth veil itself eternal good.
Yet is it, yea, for grace and blessing chosen.
- Aria (T)
God, for whom earth’s orb is too small,
Whom neither world nor heaven limits,
Would in the narrow crib now lie.
Revealed to us this lasting light,
Thus henceforth will us God not hate,
For of this light we are the children.
- Recit. (B)
O Christian world,
Now rise and get thyself prepared
To thee thy maker now to welcome.
The mighty Son of God
Comes as a guest to thee incarnet.
Ah, let thy heart by this his love be smitten;
He comes to thee, that he before his throne
Through this deep vale of tears be guiding.
- Aria (S, A)
The weakness which God hath assumed
On us eternal health bestowed,
The richest store of heaven’s treasures.
His mortal nature maketh you
The angels’ glory now to share,
You to the angels’ choir appointeth.
- Chorale [Verse 7] (S, A, T, B)
All this he hath for us achieved,
His great love to manifest;
Rejoice then all Christianity
And thank him for this evermore.
Kyrie eleis!