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 9:2, 6-7a
Titues 2:11-15a
Luke 2:1-14
A great light has broken into our dark world, for unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given! He rules the world with truth and grace, and wonders of His love. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all, and we are to live and walk in His light, in the blessed hope of His appearing on the Last Day. This Savior is the same Jesus who humbled Himself to be born of a virgin and set aside the glory of heaven for swaddling cloths and the straw of the manger. This is good news of great joy for all people, we have a Savior born who is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Prayer of the Day:
O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymns
361 O Little Town of Bethlehem
376 Once In Royal David’s City
358 From Heaven Above to Earth I Come
364 Away in a Manger
370 What Child is This
380 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
368 Angels We Have Heard on High
383 A Great and Mighty Wonder
TLH 81 O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is
363 Silent Night
387 Joy to the World
Bach Cantata for the Week
BWV 63 Christen, ätzet diesen Tag (Source for the translation)
- Chorus (S, A, T, B)
Christians, etch ye now this day
Both in bronze and stones of marble!
Come, quick, join me at the manger
And display with lips of gladness
All your thanks and all you owe;
For the light which here breaks forth
Shows to you a sign of blessing.
- Recit. (A)
O blessed day! O day exceeding rare, this,
On which the world’s true help,
The Shiloh(1), whom God did in Paradise(2)
To mankind’s race already pledged,
From this time forth was perfectly revealed
And seeketh Israel now from the prison and the chains of slav’ry
Of Satan to deliver.
Thou dearest God, what are we wretches then?
A people fallen low which thee forsaketh;
And even still thou wouldst not hate us;
For ere we should according to our merits lie in ruin,
Ere that, must deity be willing,
The nature of mankind himself assuming,
Upon earth dwelling,
In shepherd’s stall to be a child incarnate.
O inconceivable, yet blessed dispensation!
- Aria (S, B)
God, thou hast all well accomplished
Which to us now comes to pass.
Let us then forever trust him
And rely upon his favor,
For he hath on us bestowed
What shall ever be our pleasure.
- Recit. (T)
Transformed be now today
The anxious pain
By which hath Israel been frightened and sore laden
To perfect health and blessing.
Of David’s branch the lion now appeareth,
His bow already bent, his sword already honed,
With which he us to former freedom brings.
- Aria (A, T)
Call and unto heaven cry,
Come, ye Christians, come in order,
Ye should be in this rejoicing
Which God hath today achieved!
For us now his grace provideth
And with such salvation sealeth,
More than we could thank him for.
- Recit. (B)
Redouble then your strength, ye ardent flames of worship,
And come in humble fervor all together!
Rise gladly heavenward
And thank your God for all this he hath done!
- Chorus (S, A, T, B)
Highest, look with grace upon
This the warmth of souls here bending!
Let the thanks we bring before thee
To thine ears resound with pleasure.
Let us e’er in blessing walk,
But yet / Let it / never come to pass
That us Satan seek to torment.