Christmas 2023- Luke 2:11

The church lectionaries provide many lovely and meaningful readings concerning the Birth of Jesus. Yet, our thoughts tend to be drawn most to St. Luke, chapter 2.  This time, my thoughts lingered on Luke 2:11, The angel tells the shepherds, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” The angel states to them that He is born ”unto you”, that is, for their sakes. The birth of this descendant of King David concerns the shepherds in a personal way. He is their Savior.

Even as a physically helpless newborn born in very humble circumstances, the Christ has the potential to save them. He is the One who will deliver His people in many ways- most importantly, He saves them from sin. This infant can heal their souls and restore their broken fellowship with God the Father. This little child in Bethlehem is their Savior because He is “Christ the Lord.” He is the Christ- God’s anointed one, the King of God’s people. He is their Lord because He is both the Son of David and the Son of God. The majesty and spiritual power of this helpless babe are beyond measure.

At Christmas, every human being is offered what he or she needs most- a Savior. Jesus Christ has many great titles and characteristics. We are celebrating the birth of the Messiah,  who is also the eternal Word, God’s only-begotten Son.  But even more for every fallen human being, this babe is what we all need. He is God’s appointed Savior. Whatever our external circumstances or internal mood, let us focus on what God does in the Holy Child. Jesus will be a great prophet, wise man, teacher, and healer. He is the Word become flesh who dwells among us. And even as a newborn, He is the divine Savior who delivers us from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Glory to God in the highest!

Advent 1 (year B)- Isaiah 64: 1-9; I Corinthians 1:1-9; Mark 13: 24-37

As we begin Advent, we focus on Scriptures related to the theme of coming. The first reading is from Isaiah 64:1-9. It implores the Lord to come and save His people. It also emphasizes human frailty, sin, and our dependence upon God. We are like clay that He molds according to His purposes, and we need His mercy. 

The second reading is 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. The passage emphasizes the grace of God revealed in Christ and points to waiting for His coming. Our hope is not in ourselves but in God who is faithful. It is Jesus Christ Himself who sustains us even as we await His final triumph. Only through Him can we be ready for the day of our Lord.

The Gospel is Mark 13:24-37. This passage looks to the coming of Christ to complete His work at the end of history. As even fig trees adjust to the changing seasons, followers of Christ should learn to adjust as earthly history moves along in subjection to divine plans. On the one hand, Christ's disciples must not be too hasty in their interpretations because human knowledge is limited. Only God knows all the details, but Christians should always respond faithfully and be spiritually prepared. God has revealed what we need to know in Christ. We are always called to stay awake, and the Advent season is a special time to highlight that calling to be prepared and awake. As the old Phillip Nicolai hymn reminds us, "Wake, awake, for night is flying!"

Trinity Sunday (year A)

 The Gospel for Trinity Sunday this year is Matthew 28: 16-20. This passage is short and familiar. It contains the risen Christ's basic commission to His apostles and through them to all Christians. They are to make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Holy Trinity, and teach them to observe Christ's teaching. All this sounds simple, but it is really quite demanding to put into practice. It is really what church history, the existence of every congregation, and the life of every Christian is about. And at the heart of it all is Baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Baptism in the name of the Trinity marks us as belonging to God, as members of Christ's Church, and it provides the grace to begin and continue a Christian life. Whatever our challenges or accomplishments in this life, the most important thing about us is that almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, has claimed us as His own. He has offered us redeeming grace, and He keeps offering us renewing and sanctifying grace amidst the ups and downs of earthly life. Although theological speculations and definitions have their place, the essential importance of the doctrine of the Trinity is practical, devotional, and spiritual. It is about one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, working on our souls to save us from sin and death and to offer us eternal life.

The First Sunday of Epiphany- Baptism of our Lord (year A)- Matthew 3:13-17

This First Sunday after the feast of Epiphany has long been associated with the Baptism of our Lord (Matthew 3:13-17). By coming to John to be baptized, Jesus fulfilled all righteousness. Although sinless, our incarnate Lord expressed His solidarity with sinful human beings who all need cleansing. He also received a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as He began His public ministry. And the heavenly voice acknowledged Him as the Son of God. This moment is a unique manifestation or epiphany of the divine glory in Christ. It also points to His whole public ministry and work for human salvation.

Because of Christ's uniqueness, there are certainly historical and theological differences between His Baptism by John and the later institution of Christian Baptism. Yet, in part, the Baptism of our Lord is also a model for us. He underwent Baptism to point to the human need for the washing of regeneration. Although He was pure, He identified with us sinners who need to be cleansed. Although He was already in unity with the Spirit, we need to be strengthened by fresh outpourings of the Holy Spirit. While He was eternally the Son of God by nature, we need to be adopted as children of God. We also need to notice that Baptism is a beginning of ministry. All those who have been baptized into Christ are called to continue the ministry which Christ started in this world.