Christmas 1 (year B)- Galatians 4: 4-7; Luke 2:22-40

The readings for the First Sunday after Christmas help remind us that the church's Christmas season is still ongoing. As Christians, we do not end the festival on December 25. Rather we continue to celebrate the good news of the Incarnation,

Isaiah 61:10–62:3 is part of one of the songs about the Servant of the Lord, interpreted by Christians as prophecies of the Messiah or Christ. This particular section rejoices at the Servant's coming in righteousness.

Psalm 111 praises God for all His works, especially for the covenant and promises of redemption.

The second reading is from Galatians 4:4-7. It might be considered St. Paul's Christmas Gospel because it refers briefly to the circumstances and meaning of Christ's Birth. In the fullness of time or at the appropriate time, God sent His Son into the world so that we might be adopted as spiritual children of God.

The Gospel from Luke 2:22-40 is the beautiful story of the Presentation of Christ and the Purification of Mary/  Of course, this passage is also read on February 2, but since that date is usually a weekday, many church members rarely hear it. There are several points of interest in the account. It shows Joseph and Mary as pious Jews determined to rear their child in accordance with the Law. The account shows Jesus fulfilling the Law from infancy onward. There are also the faithful and prophetic responses of Simeon and Anna, devout Jews awaiting the Messiah. In particular, there is the Song of Simeon, a hymn of praise filled with redemptive theology. In the Christ Child, may we all see the light of God's salvation!

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 4 (year B)- Luke 1:26-28

Since Advent is short this year, and the Fourth Sunday is also Christmas Eve, it is especially appropriate that the Gospel focuses on the Virgin Mary. The Gospel from Luke 1:26-38 recounts the Annunciation of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. To prepare for and appreciate Christmas, it is good to contemplate the message of Gabriel and the response of Mary. The angel brings Mary divine greetings and addresses her as favored one (in Greek "highly-graced"; in Latin, "full of grace."). He assures her that God is with her. Understandably, Mary is troubled, somewhat fearful, and has questions. Gabriel provides her with a general explanation of her calling within the divine plan, and Mary responds humbly and faithfully. In faith she accepts her calling to participate in the divine plan for salvation. She prepares the way of the Lord in a unique way. 

Luther and his followers did reject some exaggerated medieval ideas about the Virgin Mary, but unlike some later Protestants, they maintained a healthy biblical view of her role. Luther had great respect for Mary as the "God-bearer," the mother of the Lord. God was with her, she was blessed among women, and she deserved to be called blessed by all generations. 

Today, we give thanks for Mary's faith in God throughout her life and for her humble acceptance of her role in the Savior's life. Although our situations are certainly different from hers, through grace, may we also respond to God's work in Christ with similar faith and humility!

Lutheranism as Evangelical and Catholic

The Augsburg Confession declares that our Churches, with common consent, teach that "one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered." (Augsburg Confession, Article VII)

During Advent, my thoughts are often drawn to consider the catholic or universal aspects of Lutheranism. As some observers have claimed, the Lutheran Church is the Western Catholic Church cleansed and reformed. The early Lutherans viewed the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a continuation of the Christian Church throughout its history, stripped of certain abuses associated with the papacy. Lutherans maintained a 'high' understanding of the sacraments. In interpretations of Scripture, orthodox Lutheran theologians made extensive use of the early church fathers. They saw continuity in Christian history. They understood Lutheranism as a renewal movement within and for the universal Christian Church. They were evangelicals but not in the popular Anglo-American sense. Lutherans were/are evangelical (evangelisch) because they believe in justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as proclaimed in Holy Scripture.

Lutheranism differs historically from other kinds of Protestantism. Lutheranism is the Reformation heritage that unambiguously confesses belief in the gracious power of the sacraments of  Baptism and the  Eucharist. (Some but not all Anglicans have had sacramental views similar to those of orthodox Lutheranism.) The Book of Concord maintains that salvation is received through the means of grace: God's Word and the two Sacraments directly instituted by Christ. The Augsburg Confession states that "in doctrine and ceremonies nothing has been received on our part against Scripture or the Catholic Church" (Augsburg Confession, Conclusion). 

In 19th-century Lutheranism, the concept of "Evangelical Catholicism" developed as a vision of the nature of the Church. The term Evangelical Catholic focuses on theology rather than ritual. The term is not strictly defined, and it has been expressed in different ways. What all these expressions have in common is a focus on the biblical Gospel combined with a respect for universal Christian principles and practices across the ages.

The central characteristic is evangelical faith in the biblical good news of redemption through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God the Son. In thought and experience, this evangelical faith has been guarded and expressed through the catholic or universal teachings and practices of Christianity. To best appreciate the biblical Gospel, one must consider what has been believed by faithful Christians across varied times, places, cultures, and ecclesiastical structures. In this truly catholic context, one can appreciate the importance of factors such as the canon of Scripture, the ancient creeds, the two dominical sacraments, and ordained leadership. There is a constant give and take between the evangelical and the catholic; they depend upon each other for their best expression.

Advent 2 (year B)- Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1: 1-8

 For Advent 2, the First Reading is from Isaiah 40:1-11. This is a familiar prophecy about Israel's future hope. After difficult times brought on by human sin, the Lord God announces words of comfort.

Psalm 85 also speaks of divine forgiveness and God's redemption of His people. Those who remain faithful will be blessed.

The Second Reading from 2 Peter 3:8-14 exhorts Christians to unity, love, and humility. It contrasts the works of evil and the life of God's children through Christ. Even suffering for righteousness' sake brings blessing.

Mark 1:1-8 looks to the beginning of the Gospel message rooted in the Old Testament prophets and continued in John the Baptist. The heart of the prophetic message is repentance and the remission of sins. This message will be completed by the mightier One who comes after John, that is, Jesus the Christ.

Advent 1 (year B)- Isaiah 64: 1-9; I Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13: 24-37

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. 

Psalm 80:1-7,17-19 calls upon God, the Shepherd of Israel, to restore His flock.  We have turned away and need to be saved. Through God's appointed leader, the Son of man, we can be restored so that His face may shine upon us and save us.

The second reading is 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. The passage begins with the grace of God revealed in Christ and points toward 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 the 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. On the other hand, 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!"