NEWS

In today’s Old Testament Reading, young Solomon demonstrates wisdom beyond his years when God asked, “What shall I give you?” “Give Your servant an understanding mind . . . that I may discern between good and evil,” responded Solomon. Wise as he was, Solomon still faltered—later on he welcomed other gods into the holy city, gods that ended up being her destruction. In the Gospel, we encounter another youngster, Jesus, at age twelve. He, too, is wise beyond His years, sitting in the temple, listening to the teachers, and asking questions. Unlike Solomon, He never faltered. He “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Later on, He redeemed us through His blood, shed on the cross, and forgave our trespasses according to the riches of His grace. Rather than welcome other gods, Jesus was and is true God, come to save us. We gather today at the beginning of a new year, and we are blessed. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing, including the blessing of the wisdom of knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. “Come and worship, come and worship; Worship Christ, the newborn King” (LSB 367)

Not only has the Lord come to a manger in Bethlehem, but now He has also come to His own temple in Jerusalem. The building that itself was to be a sign of God’s presence among His people now becomes the very place where Jesus is presented to the Lord. Promised for centuries, salvation has come, and all nations shall see the glory of the Lord. As Simeon beholds this glory in the face of Jesus Christ, he embraces redemption in his arms. Through the Word you will hear today, you, too, will embrace Christ and His saving work. Sing of His glory! God has come to you!

This Sunday in the Church Year is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The appointed Psalm for the day is Psalm 23, which is among the most well-known psalms. The Gospel from John 10 records Jesus revealing Himself as the Good Shepherd. While fewer and fewer people are familiar with what it is like to take care of sheep, this metaphor of God’s protection and provision has become a great source of comfort and hope. God grant that you find such blessed comfort as you dwell securely here in the house of the Lord.

READINGS

To God alone be glory! All three lessons for this Fourth Sunday in Advent give us cause to glorify God. We give glory to God for the Christ who first came in the womb of the virgin at Bethlehem. We give glory to God for the Christ who continues to come to us through His Word and Sacraments, the means of grace. We give glory to God for the Christ who will come again on the Last Day. Our doxology is no generic praise and thanksgiving but the specific doxology to the Father for sending His Son with gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. This is the mystery, once hidden, and made plain in Christ.

If you light the candles of an Advent wreath at church or at home, it’s likely that the color of the candle you light this Sunday is pink. It’s also likely that this is the only pink candle on the wreath. Pink is a color of joy. In fact, this Third Sunday in Advent is commonly referred to as “Rejoice Sunday.” But don’t confuse the joy we celebrate this Advent with a passing happiness. No, the joy we have this Advent is greater. It lasts always. That’s what today’s Epistle assures us when Paul writes, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). Only in Jesus, the coming Savior, can we rejoice in good times and bad times, busy times and quiet times, sick times and healthy times. In Christ, we rejoice always!

Throughout the ages, God has sent messengers with special messages for His people. Many centuries before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah told of how God would comfort His people. The ministry of Jesus was announced by the strong spoken messages of John the Baptizer in the wilderness. After the ascension of Jesus, written messages such as those of Peter, John, Paul, and James encouraged the first Christians into ongoing lives of faith and witness. Through His Word, the timeless messages of God come to us anew each week and in each changing season of the Church Year.

READINGS

This is the First Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new Church Year of grace. Our Church Year counts time differently than the secular calendar. We are tied to the fullness of time in which God sent His one and only Son into the womb of the virgin, born to save us. The First Sunday in Advent is the Sunday on or closest to November 30 (St. Andrew’s Day). Today, we begin a journey not simply to the manger but the familiar journey that takes us to the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb. It is not merely a remembrance of what took place so long ago but also preparation for what is to come—our Lord’s return in glory to lay claim to His Church for all eternity. Encouraged by the Spirit, we devote ourselves to faithfully keeping what God has made known to us and showing forth our living faith in words and acts of repentance and holy living. But each Advent is a reminder that we are one step further from Bethlehem and one year closer to our Lord’s coming again.

Today is the Last Sunday of the Church Year. This Sunday is traditionally filled with themes of Christ’s roles as King and Judge. But consider these words from Psalm 95: “We are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.” We are God’s chosen sheep. He is our Shepherd. We follow Him as He goes to seek the lost, bring back the stray, and bind up the injured.

We read today about three servants. Two were good and faithful. One was evil and faithless. Two enter into the joy of their master. One does not. Our Lord has entrusted us with many good and gracious gifts and sends us into the world to make disciples and multiply the gifts we have received. Yet, it is not our own work that leads us into the joy of our Master; rather, it is our Master’s work on our behalf. Jesus’ saving work of death and resurrection brings us into the joy of our Master.