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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)

1. 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.

2. 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!

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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!

7. 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.

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:

Song of Solomon 2:8b-14
Romans 15:4-13
Luke 21:25-36

In the Prophecy from the Song of Solomon, the Holy Bride of Christ sings in joy because she knows that her beloved, Jesus Christ her Lord, is drawing near. She loves to hear His voice, she thrills to see His face. In the Epistle from Romans 15, St. Paul tells us that Christ Jesus has come as the Savior of God’s Old Testament people, and that His work is so gracious and merciful that the Gentiles are brought into the same salvation. This salvation comes from the root of Jesse, the Son of David, Christ our King. In the Holy Gospel from Luke 21, Jesus tells us the signs that will proceed His second Advent, when He will come to judge the living and the dead. These are not to cause us to fear, but to rejoice because our Lord is drawing near. He warns us not to be weighed down with the cares and the snares of this world, but to make ourselves ready to see Him.

Prayer of the Day:

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymns

333 Once He Came in Blessing
336 Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending
TLH 64 Jesus, Thy Church With Longing Eyes
362 O Sing of Christ
338 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Bach Cantata for the Week

BWV 70a Wachet! Betet! Betet! Wachet!
Translation Here

1. Chorus
   Watch! pray! pray! watch!
   Be ready
   all the time,
   until the Lord of glory
   brings this world to an end.
2. Aria A
   When will the day come, on which we shall depart
   out of the Egypt of this world?
   Ah! Let us soon flee out of Sodom,
   before the fire falls on us!
   Watch, souls, get up from your complacency
   and believe, it is the end of time!
3. Aria S
   Let the tongues of the mockers scorn,
   yet it will and must occur,
   that we shall behold Jesus
   upon the clouds, in the heights.
   World and heaven may pass away,
   Christ’s word must remain firm.
   Let the tongues of the mockers scorn;
   yet it will and must occur!
4. Aria T
   Lift up your heads
   and be comforted, O righteous ones,
   even to the bloom of your souls!
   You shall flourish in Eden,
   serving God eternally.
5. Aria B
   Blessed day of revival,
   lead me to your halls!
   Resound, peal, last stroke,
   world and heaven, fall in ruins!
   Jesus leads me to quiet,
   to the place where pleasure is complete.
6. Chorale
   Not for the world, nor for heaven
   does my soul long and yearn,
   I desire Jesus and his light,
   Who has with God forgiven me,
   Who frees me from judgment,
   I will not abandon my Jesus.

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:

Jeremiah 23:5-8
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 21:1-9

In the Prophecy from Jeremiah, the LORD promises that the day is coming a branch shall come from David, a King who will bring the righteousness of the LORD to the earth, namely Jesus Christ. In Romans 13 Paul invites us to see that the Lord has drawn near to us, that our salvation is near. Because of this we are to walk as those who walk in the light of Christ, properly, and not in drunkenness nor to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. In Matthew 21 we see Jesus enter into Jerusalem that He might die for our sins and be raised for our salvation, the King of Kings who comes to save us in the name of the Lord.

Prayer of the Day:

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymns

341 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
332 Savior of the Nations Come
TLH 93 O Lord, We Welcome Thee
375 Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising
334 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

Bach Cantata for the Week

BWV 61 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

1. Ouverture [Chorale] (S, A, T, B)

Now come, the gentiles’ Savior,
As the Virgin’s child revealed,
At this marvels all the world
God him such birth hath ordained.

2. Recit. (T)

To us is come the Savior,
Who this our feeble flesh and blood
Himself hath taken
And taketh us as kindred of his blood.
O treasure unexcelled,
What hast thou not for us then done?
What dost thou not
Yet daily for thy people?
Thy coming makes thy light
Appear with richest blessing.

3. Aria (T)

Come, Jesus, come to this thy church now
And fill with blessing the new year!

Advance thy name in rank and honor,
Uphold thou every healthy doctrine,
And bless the pulpit and the altar!

4. Recit. Dictum(1)

See now, I stand before the door and knock on it. If someone my voice will hear and will open wide the door, I will come into his dwelling and take with him the evening supper, and he with me.

5. Aria (S)

Open wide, my heart and spirit,
Jesus comes and draws within.

Though I soon be dust and earth,
Will he me yet not disdain,
That his joy he find in me,
And that I become his dwelling.
Oh, how blessed shall I be!

6. Chorale (S, A, T, B)

Amen, amen!
Come, thou lovely crown of gladness, do not tarry(2).
Here I wait for thee with longing.

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord”

Scripture Readings For the Week:

• Isaiah 65:17-25
• 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
• Matthew 25:1-13

In the reading from Isaiah, the Lord gives us a vision of eternity, the new heavens and new earth. We see God’s workmanship cleansed of sin and all that sin brings: no more weeping or distress, no more death bringing sorrow; the work of those who who build and farm will not be in vain; the work of parents will be done for joy; even the wolf and lamb shall dwell in peace. In the reading from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul reminds us that the day of the Lord will come, so that we will not be surprised when it does. He encourages us to live in such a way that we are always ready for the Lord to call us home. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins from Matthew’s Gospel, our Lord shows us the joy that we are waiting for, that He will bring us into, and tells us to watch and be ready for the day of His return.

Prayer of the Day:

O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that, from the bonds of our sins which by reason of our frailty we have brought upon ourselves, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymns

• 514 The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us
• 516 Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying
• 617 O Lord, We Praise Thee
• 636 Sould, Adorn yourself with Gladness
• 515 Rejoice, Rejoice Believers

Bach Cantata for the Week

Watch on YouTube

BWV 140 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme

1. Chorus [Verse 1] (S, A, T, B)

“Wake, awake, for night is flying,”
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
“Awake Jerusalem, arise!”
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
“Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes, awake!
Your lamps with gladness take!
Alleluia!
With bridal care,
yourselves prepare
To meet the Bridegroom who is near.”

2. Recit. (T)

He comes, he comes,
The bridegroom comes!(1)
O Zion’s daughters, come ye forth,(2)
His journey hieth from the heavens(3)
Into your mother’s house.(4)
The bridegroom comes, who to a roebuck
And youthful stag is like,(5)
Which on the hills doth leap;(6)
To you the marriage meal he brings.
Rise up, be lively now
The bridegroom here to welcome!
There, look now, thence he comes to meet you.

3. Aria (S, B) Soul, Jesus

(Soul)
When com’st thou, my Savior?(7)

(Jesus)
I’m coming, thy share.

(Soul)
I’m waiting with my burning oil.(8)

(Soul, Jesus)
Now open
{ } the hall
I open

(both)
For heaven’s rich meal.

(Soul)
Come, Jesus!

(Jesus)
Come, O lovely soul!

4. Chorale [Verse 2]

Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord, comes down all glorious,
The strong in grace, the truth victorious;
Her star is ris’n, her light is come.
Now come, Thou Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son,
Hail! Hosanna!
We enter all
The wedding hall
To eat the Supper at Thy call.

5. Recit. (B)

So come within to me,
Thou mine elected bride!
I have myself to thee
Eternally betrothed.(9)
I will upon my heart,
Upon my arm like as a seal engrave thee(10)
And to thy troubled eye bring pleasure.
Forget, O spirit, now
The fear, the pain
Which thou hast had to suffer;
Upon my left hand shalt thou rest,
And this my right hand shall embrace thee.(11)

6. Aria (S, B)

(Soul)
My friend is mine,

(Jesus)
And I am thine,(12)
(Both)
Let love bring no division.

(Soul, Jesus)
I will thee
{ } with { } on heaven’s roses pasture,(13)
Thou shalt me
Where pleasure in fullness, where joy will abound.(14)

7. Chorale [Verse 3] (S, A, T, B)

Now let all the heav’ns adore Thee,
Let saints and angels bow before Thee
With harp and cymbals’ clearest tone.
Of one pearl, each shining portal,
Where joining with the choir immortal,
We gather round Thy radiant throne.
No eye has seen the light,
No ear has heard the might,
Of Thy glory;
Therefore will we,
Eternally,
Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!

1. Mt. 25:6.
2. S.of S. 3:11.
3. Lk. 1:78.
4. S. of S. 3:4; 8:2. Note the matriarchal marriage system.
5. S. of S. 2:9 and 17; 8:14.
6. S. of S. 2:8.
7. Is. 62:11.
8. Mt. 25:4.
9. Hos. 2:20.
10. S. of S. 8:6.
11. S. of S. 2:6. The Biblical text suggests “embrace” rather than “kiss.”
12. S.of S. 2:16; 6:3. The Biblical sein ‘his’ is altered to dein in BG to suit the sense of the dialogue. It allows the rhyme in the translation.
13. S. of S. 6:3.
14. Ps. 16:11.

(Translation from Lutheran Service Book #516, and Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (uvm.edu))