Author: Pastor Page 11 of 13
Service Times:
- Sat-6pm
- Sun-8:30 & 10am
- Merriman-4pm Sunday
Hymns
- 655 Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Your Words
- 430 My Song is Love Unknown
- 431 Not All the Blood of Beasts
Readings
Collect of the day
Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Order of Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families
Bible Verse for the Week:
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Psalms for the Day:
Morning: Psalm 59
Evening: Psalm 57,58
Catechetical Instruction: The Sacrament of the Altar
What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Where is this written? The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Who receives this sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.
Scripture Readings
Bible Stories for the Family: Love Your Enemies, Matthew 5:38-48
Additional Reading: Jonah 1
Theme for Daily Prayer:
For faithfulness to the end; for the renewal of those who are withering in the faith or have fallen away; for receptive hearts and minds to God’s Word on the Lord’s Day; for pastors and people as they prepare to administer and receive Christ’s holy gifts.
Prayer for our Medical Workers: Lord God, be with the doctors and nurses and all others who minister to the needs of those who are ill. Through their wise and compassionate service, grant relief to the suffering and hope to the afflicted so that all may know of Your boundless care; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Hymn of the Week:
Lutheran Service Book 571 God Loved the World so that He Gave
God loved the world, so that He Gave
His only Son the lost to save,
That all who would in Him believes
Should everlasting life receive.Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,
Who was made flesh and suffered death;
All then who trust in Him alone
Are built on this chief cornerstone.If you are sick, if death is near,
This truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith. vv. 1,2, 5
Order of Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families
Bible Verse for the Week:
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Psalms for the Day:
Morning: Psalm 54, 56
Evening: Psalm 55
Catechetical Instruction: The Sacrament of the Altar
What is the Sacrament of the Altar? These Words “given and shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins, show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
Where is this written? The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Who receives this sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.
Scripture Readings
Bible Stories for the Family: You Shall Not Give False Testimony, Matthew 5:33-37
Additional Reading: Obadiah 16-21
Theme for Daily Prayer:
For the preaching of the holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the spread of His knowledge throughout the whole world; for the persecuted and the oppressed, for the sick and the dying.
Prayer for our Medical Workers: Lord God, be with the doctors and nurses and all others who minister to the needs of those who are ill. Through their wise and compassionate service, grant relief to the suffering and hope to the afflicted so that all may know of Your boundless care; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Hymn of the Week:
Lutheran Service Book 571 God Loved the World so that He Gave
God loved the world, so that He Gave
His only Son the lost to save,
That all who would in Him believes
Should everlasting life receive.Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,
Who was made flesh and suffered death;
All then who trust in Him alone
Are built on this chief cornerstone.If you are sick, if death is near,
This truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith. vv. 1,2, 5
One of the challenges that we may be facing during this time of crisis and uncertainty is in our congregational finances. It is understandable. Fewer of us are able to attend church right now, which is when our tithes and offerings are normally given. We also appear to be heading toward a time of economic uncertainty.
This video is a Bible Study on how New Testament churches handled giving in times of scarcity. The presenter is Rev. Bernard Ross, pastor at Trinity Lutheran (LC-MS) in Alma, Missouri.
It is important for us to remember that God has not spared His only Son, and we can be confident that He will also provide for us in all things. We continue to look out for our brothers and sisters in Christ who might be facing hardship. They may need help with groceries. They may need help through a rough spot if they are laid off from their job because business are closed. We provide for our families. We also look out for those in community who have needs and seek to find the best ways to help them.
As Pastor Ross points out, we still also continue to give to the Church during times of need. First, it is our way of acknowledging to God that He is still caring for us, and trusting that He will continue to do so. Secondly, we recognize that because we need God’s Word and Sacrament now as much as ever, the workers of the church need to be taken care of.
As a church, we pray for each other and support each other, bearing each other’s burdens.
If you are unable to attend church, there are three ways available to continue to give. The first is to mail your offering to the church or drop it off during the week.
The second is to enroll in the Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s Joyful Response Program. This program allows you to set an automatic weekly offering from your bank account. To enroll, you can download this form and mail it back to the church, care of the treasurer.
The second way can be done completely online. The payment is handled by Thrivent, and they pay the transaction fee so that the church receives the full amount. For a time, they will even be matching $1 for every $2 given. To give that way, click the button below and enter your information.
Finally, as a Church, we also pray for all of the individuals, families, and business affected by this disease. We pray for health and hope in the face of death. We also pray for the industry and commerce of our nation.
Lord Jesus Christ, as you once shared in our human toil, and thus hallowed the work of our hands, bless and prosper those whose work gives us our daily bread in the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors of our nation. Give them a right regard for their labors, and grant them the just reward of their work that they may find joy in serving you and in supplying our needs; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Order of Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families
Bible Verse for the Week:
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Psalms for the Day:
Morning: Psalm 51
Evening: Psalm 52, 53
Catechetical Instruction: The Sacrament of the Altar
What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Where is this written? The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Who receives this sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.
Scripture Readings
Bible Stories for the Family: You Shall not Commit Adultery, Matthew 5:27-32
Additional Reading: Obadiah 8-15
Theme for Daily Prayer:
For the church and her pastors; for teachers, deaconesses, and other church workers, for missionaries and for all who serve the Church; for fruitful and salutary use of the blessed Sacrament of Christ’s body and blood.
Prayer for our Government: Eternal Lord, ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that, guided by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Hymn of the Week:
Lutheran Service Book 571 God Loved the World so that He Gave
God loved the world, so that He Gave
His only Son the lost to save,
That all who would in Him believes
Should everlasting life receive.Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,
Who was made flesh and suffered death;
All then who trust in Him alone
Are built on this chief cornerstone.If you are sick, if death is near,
This truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith. vv. 1,2, 5
Spotify playlist for the hymns mentioned
The hymnals of our churches are a treasury of the music and poetry, the prayers and devotions that have been handed down from our fathers in the faith. Christians before us have face the threat of death and disease. They have awakened in the dark of night searching for the promises of God. They have suffered and watched as those they loved suffered. They prayed to their Good Shepherd to come and shelter them. They looked to His Word to see what blessings He had for people in need, and what hope He would give in the face of death.
These hymns are very frank about the realities of sin, suffering, death, and dying. But they are even more frank about the realities of salvation won by our Savior, who heals us with His stripes.
Here are some hymns of comfort for the days and weeks to come. They will not puff you up full of false, vain hope, but they will deliver the promises of Jesus who has conquered death by His death and by His rising again gives the assurance of eternal life.
–Behold a Host Arrayed in White
Behold a host, arrayed in white,
Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright!
With palms they stand; Who is this band
Before the throne of light?
These are the saints of glorious fame,
Who from the great affliction came
And in the flood of Jesus’ blood
Are cleansed from guilt and shame.
They now serve God both day and night;
They sing their songs in endless light.
Their anthems ring as they all sing
With angels shining bright. (Lutheran Service Book 676 v. 1)
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia! (Lutheran Service Book 677 v. 1, 5, 6)
–From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee
From depths of woe I cry to Thee,
In trial and tribulation;
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
Lord, hear my supplication.
If Thou rememb’rest ev’ry sin,
Who then could heaven ever win
or stand before Thy presence?Therefore my help is in the Lord
And not in mine own merit;
It rests upon His faithful Word,
To them of contrite spirit
That He is merciful and just;
This is my comfort and my trust.
His help I wait with patience. (Lutheran Service Book 607 v.1, 3)
–I Know that My Redeemer Lives
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives my ever-living head.He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there. (Lutheran Service Book 461 v. 1, 5, 7)
In the very midst of life
Snares of death surround us;
Who shall help us in the strife
Lest the foe confound us?
Thou only Lord, Thou only!
We mourn that we have greatly erred,
That our sins Thy wrath have stirred.
Holy and righteous God!
Holy and all merciful Savior!
Eternal Lord God!
Save us lest we perish
In the bitter pangs of death.
Have mercy, O Lord! (Lutheran Service Book 755 v. 1)
–In Peace and Joy I Now Depart
In peace and joy I now depart since God now wills it.
Serene and confident my heart; stillness fills it.
For the Lord has promised me that death is but a slumber.Christ Jesus brought this gift to me, My faithful Savior,
Whom you have made my eyes to see by your favor.
Now I know He is my life, My friend when I am dying.
(Lutheran Service Book 938 vv. 1-2)
–Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart
Lord, let at last thine angels come,
To Abr’ham’s bosom bare me home,
That I may die unfearing.
And in its narrow chamber keep
My body safe in peaceful sleep
Until Thy reappearing.
And then from death awaken me,
That these mine eyes with joy may see,
O Son of God, Thy glorious face
My Savior and my fount of grace.
Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, my prayer attend,
And I will praise Thee without end.
(Lutheran Service Book 708 v.3)
–Christ the Life of All the Living
Christ, the life of all the living,
Christ, the death of death, our foe,
Who, Thyself for me once giving
To the darkest depths of woe:
Through Thy suff’rings, death, and merit
I eternal life inherit.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto thee. (Lutheran Service Book 420 v. 1)
–Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
Bands: Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
For our offenses given;
But now at God’s right hand He stands
And brings us life from heaven.
Therefore let us joyful be
And sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of alleluia!
Alleluia!It was a strange and dreadful strife
When life and death contended;
The victory remained with life,
The reign of death was ended.
Holy Scripture plainly saith
That death is swallowed up by death,
Its sting is lost forever.
Alleluia!Here our true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree—
So strong His love—to save us.
See, His blood now marks our door;
Faith points to it; death passes o’er,
And Satan cannot harm us.
Alleluia! (Lutheran Service Book 458 vv. 1, 4-5)
–Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense
Jesus Christ, my sure Defense
And my Savior, now is living!
Knowing this, my confidence
Rests upon the hope here given,
Though the night of death be fraught
Still with many an anxious thought.I am flesh and must return
To the dust, whence I am taken;
But by faith I now discern
That from death I shall awaken
With my Savior to abide
In His glory, at His side.Glorified, I shall anew
With this flesh then be enshrouded;
In this body I shall view
God, my Lord, with eyes unclouded;
In this flesh I then shall see
Jesus Christ eternally.Then take comfort and rejoice,
For His members Christ will cherish.
Fear not, they will hear His voice;
Dying they will never perish;
For the very grave is stirred
When the trumpet’s blast is heard.Laugh to scorn the gloomy grave
And at death no longer tremble;
He, the Lord, who came to save
Will at last His own assemble.
They will go their Lord to meet.
Treading death beneath their feet. (Lutheran Service Book 741 vv. 1, 4-7)
–For Me to Live is Jesus
For me to live is Jesus,
To die is gain for me;
So when my Savior pleases,
I meet death willingly.
?
For Christ, my Lord, my brother,
I leave this world so dim
And gladly seek another,
Where I shall be with Him. (Lutheran Service Book 741 vv. 1-2)
–God’s Own Child I Gladly Say It
God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It: Death, you cannot end my gladness:
I am baptized into Christ!
When I die I leave all sadness
To inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust and ashes,
Faith’s assurance brightly flashes:
Baptism has the strength divine
To make life immortal mine.There is nothing worth comparing
To this lifelong comfort sure!
Open-eyed my grave is staring:
Even there I’ll sleep secure.
Though my flesh awaits its raising,
Still my soul continues praising:
I am baptized into Christ;
I’m a child of paradise! (Lutheran Service Book 594 vv. 4-5)
Who so happy as I am,
Even now the Shepherd’s lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By His angels host attended,
He shall fold me to His breast,
There within His arms to rest.” (Lutheran Service Book 740 v. 3)
–O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright
What joy to know, when life is past,
The Lord we love is first and last,
The end and the beginning!
He will one day, oh, glorious grace,
Transport us to that happy place
Beyond all tears and sinning!
Amen! Amen!
Come, Lord Jesus!
Crown of gladness!
We are yearning
For the day of Your returning! (Lutheran Service Book 395 v. 6)
Be Thou my consolation,
My shield, when I must die;
Remind me of Thy passion
When my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
Upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfold Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well. (Lutheran Service Book 449 v. 4)
–What God Ordains is Always Good
What God ordains is always good:
This truth remains unshaken.
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
I shall not be forsaken.
I fear no harm,
For with His arm
He shall embrace and shield me;
So to my God I yield me. (Lutheran Service Book 760 v. 6)
–When Aimless Violence Takes Those We Love
When Aimless violence takes those we love,
When random death strikes childhood’s promise down,
When wrenching loss becomes our daily bread,
We know, O God, You leave us not alone.Through long grief-darkened days help us, dear Lord,
To trust Your grace for courage to endure,
To rest our souls in Your supporting love,
And find our hope within Your mercy sure.
(Lutheran Service Book 764 vv. 1, 5)
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows, like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.Though Satan should buffet, though trails should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hat shed His own blood for my soul.It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
(Lutheran Service Book 763 vv. 1-2)
–This Body in the Grave We Lay
This body in the grave we lay
There to await that solemn day
When God Himself shall bid it rise
To mount triumphant to the skies.And so to earth we now entrust
What came from dust and turns to dust
And from the dust shall rise that day
In glorious triumph o’er decayThe soul forever lives with God,
Who freely hath His grace bestowed
And through His Son redeemed it here
From ev’ry sin, from ev’ry fear.All trials and all griefs are past,
A blessed end has come at last.
Christ’s yoke was borne with ready will;
Who dieth thus is living still.We have no cause to mourn or weep;
Securely shall this body sleep
Till Christ Himself shall death destroy
And raise the blessed dead to joy.Then let us leave this place of rest
And homeward turn, for they are blest
Who heed God’s warning and prepare
Lest death should find them unaware.So help us, Jesus, ground of faith;
Thou hast redeemed us by Thy death
From endless death and set us free.
We laud and praise and worship Thee.
(Lutheran Service Book 759)
Other Appropriate Hymns:
+Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
+ Amazing Grace
+ Beautiful Savior
+ How Great Thou Art
+ Holy, Holy, Holy
+ Crown Him with Many Crowns
+ Glory Be to Jesus, Who In Bitter Pain
+ Just As I Am
+ My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
+ Chief of Sinners Thou I Be
+ For All the Saints
+ Children of the Heavenly Father
+ Precious Lord, Take My Hand
+ I’m But a Stranger Here, Heaven is My Home
+ Be Still My Soul
+ O Bless the Lord, My Soul
+ Lift Hight the Cross
+ Abide With Me
+ At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
Order of Daily Prayer for Individuals and Families
Bible Verse for the Week:
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Psalms for the Day:
Morning: Psalm 48, 49
Evening: Psalm 50
Catechetical Instruction: The Sacrament of the Altar
What is the Sacrament of the Altar? It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Where is this written? The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul write: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Who receives this sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.
Scripture Readings
Bible Stories for the Family: The Annunciation of Our Lord-Luke 1:26-38
Additional Reading: The Virgin Will Bear a Son-Isaiah 7:10-14
Theme for Daily Prayer:
For marriage and family; that husbands and wives, parents and children live in ordered harmony according to the Word of God; for parents who must raise children alone; for our communities and neighborhoods.
Collect of the Day: O Lord, as we have known the incarnation of Your Son Jesus Christ, by the message of the angel to the virgin Mary, so by the message of His cross and passion bring us to the glory of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for those who mourn the loss of loved ones: O Lord God, by the sudden deaths of many people in these days, You have shown that Your thoughts are not our thoughts nor Your ways our ways. We thank You for the blessings of body and soul that You have bestowed on the departed. Comfort the members of their families who mourn their deaths, and assist us ever to prepare for Your final summons when we will depart and be with Christ in blessedness and glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Hymn of the Day:
Lutheran Service Book 834 O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth
O God, O Lord of heaven and earth,
Thy living finger never wrote
That life should be an aimless mote,
A deathward drift from futile birth.
Thy Word meant life triumphant hurled
In splendor through Thy broken world.
Since light awoke and life began,
Thou hast desired Thy life for man.
Our fatal will to equal Thee,
Our rebel will wrought death and night.
We seized and used in prideful spite
Thy wondrous gift of liberty.
We housed us in this house of doom,
Where death had royal scope and room,
Until Thy servant, Prince of Peace,
Breached all its walls for our release.
Thou camest to our hall of death,
O Christ, to breathe our poisoned air,
To drink for us the dark despair
That strangled our reluctant breath.
How beautiful the feet that trod
The road that leads us back to God!
How beautiful the feet that ran
To bring the great good news to man! (vv. 1-3)
Hymn of the Week:
Lutheran Service Book 571 God Loved the World so that He Gave
God loved the world, so that He Gave
His only Son the lost to save,
That all who would in Him believes
Should everlasting life receive.Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,
Who was made flesh and suffered death;
All then who trust in Him alone
Are built on this chief cornerstone.If you are sick, if death is near,
This truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith. vv. 1,2, 5
This is the day of the day of Our Lord’s Incarnation, the day when our Heavenly Father sent for His Son to be made flesh in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit. God’s rescue mission to save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil begins with His God’s Word delivered by the angel Gabriel, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31) and Mary’s response born out of her faith in God, “let it be to me according to your Word” (Luke 1:38). As her soul “magnifies the Lord” and her “spirit rejoices in God [her] savior” (Luke 1:47-47), so does ours!
St. Bernard declared that there are here three miracles: that God and man should be joined in this child; that a mother should remain a virgin; that Mary should have such faith as to believe that this mystery would be accomplished in her. The last is not the least of the three. The virgin birth is a mere trifle for God; that God should become man is a greater miracle; but most amazing of all is that this maiden should credit the announcement that she, rather than some other virgin had been chosen to be the mother of God.
She did indeed inquire of the angel, “How can these things be?” and he answered, “Mary, you have asked too high a question for me, but the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you and you will not know yourself how it happens.” Had she not believed, she could not have conceived. She held fast to the word of the angel because she had become a new creature.
Even so must we be transformed and renewed in heart from day to day. Otherwise Christ is born in vain. This is the word of the prophet: “Unto us a child is born, unto us, a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6). This is for us the hardest point, not so much to believe that He is the son of the Virgin and God Himself, as to believe that this Son of God is ours.”
Martin Luther’s Christmas Book, Augsburg Fortress, 1948.