TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes." (Psalm 118:8-9)

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen . . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage & anger, brawling & slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind & compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:29, 31-32)

JESUS

"God gives His only-begotten Son so that we would not perish He gives His Son for us so that we can be received as sons of God by grace. The Father called Him from the womb, from the body of His mother (Isaiah 49:1) with the name Jesus because He would save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). There can be no rebirth without the birth of the sinless Son. There can be no eternal life with God unless the promised offspring obeys to the point of death. He had to be counted as a stubborn son so we could be reckoned as obedient offspring. 

He took up residence in the womb of the Virgin so that He could be placed in the tomb of the earth. The Seed of the woman had to be sown into the ground in order to sprout forth in new life for us. He ascended like a young plant, & like a root out of the dry land (Isaiah 53:2). Because of the suffering & success of the Son, the Father waters the thirsty ground & pours out His Holy Spirit upon all His offspring (Isaiah 44:3). 

TODAY'S ADVENT HYMN

"Prepare the royal highway; the King of kings is near! Let ev'ry hill & valley A level road appear! Then greet the king of glory Foretold in sacred story:  Oh, blest is He that came In God the Father's name!" Prepare the Royal Highway, LW #27