On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry - A Daily Adventide Devotional

On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry

A Daily Adventide Devotional Compiled, produced, and published by Christ Academy Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Cover image: Adobe Stock #298387215 All Scripture from The Holy Bible, ESV unless otherwise noted.

Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Lutheran Service Book (LSB) © 2006 Concordia Publishing House Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (LSB 338) Text: Public domain From Heaven Above to Earth I Come (LSB 358) Text: Public domain On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry (LSB 344) Text: Public domain Prepare the Royal Highway (LSB 343) Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship Used by permission: LSBHymnLicense.net, no. 100010029.

Special thanks to: Kristine Bruss for editing this devotional.

Colleen Bartzsch for formatting this devotional.

Our devotion authors who have served Christ Academy over the years and continue to serve the Church today.

The Christ Academy staff, Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt, Seminarian Charles McLain, Seminarian Nathaniel Demlow, and Deaconess Student Brenna McGuire for organizing and executing this project.

Table of Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 How to Use This Devotional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

First Sunday in Advent December 1, Rev. David Woelmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 December 2, Mr. Noah Martini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 December 3, Seminarian Henry “Sam” Scheltens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 December 4, Seminarian Nate Demlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 December 5, Deaconess Katie Aiello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 December 6, Mr. Joshua Rueter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9–10 December 7, Rev. Joshua Woelmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Second Sunday in Advent December 8, Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 December 9, Deaconess Intern RuthAnn Grabau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 December 10, Mr. Shane Perry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 December 11, Seminarian Samuel Bohnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 December 12, Vicar Harvey Peters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17–18 December 13, Seminarian Jonah Clausen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19–20 December 14, Mrs. Arianna Clausen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Third Sunday in Advent December 15, Seminarian Charles McLain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 December 16, Mr. Kerby Baars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 December 17, Rev. Ethan Stoppenhagen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25–26 December 18, Mrs. Faith Garza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 December 19, Rev. Joseph Greenmyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 December 20, Dr. Todd A. Peperkorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29–30 December 21, Deaconess Cambria Pauls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Fourth Sunday in Advent December 22, Deaconess Student Brenna McGuire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33–34 December 23, Seminarian Nate Demlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35–36 December 24, Deaconess Student Brenna McGuire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 December 25, Seminarian Charles McLain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 The Lectionary Calendar from Advent to Epiphany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Upcoming Christ Academy Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Introduction This year’s Advent Devotional theme is The Baptist’s Cry, taken from Lutheran Service Book (LSB) 344. This hymn was originally written in Latin in the eighteenth century by Charles Coffin, and was historically sung on weekdays during Adventide.

John the Baptist’s voice crying in the wilderness pointed people to Christ as the fulfillment of all things, both in His Incarnation as well as in His Second Coming.

This Adventide, we encourage you to hearken to the voice of the Baptist, directing you to the Incarnate Christ, as well as to His suffering and death.

Since its formation in 1999, Christ Academy has had an immense impact upon the formation of men and women for service in the church and the world. Throughout the years, Christ Academy has remained dedicated to providing opportunities for vocational discernment alongside fostering long-lasting friendships and memories.

Thanks to the faculty, staff, and partners of Concordia Theological Seminary, Christ Academy continues to provide students with programs that are Christ-centered, biblically based, confessionally Lutheran, and evangelically active.

Christ Academy joyfully presents the eighth annual Christ Academy Adventide Devotional. Celebrating the advent of Christ, who is God with Us, this season, we pray that in these devotions you will see that our Lord is faithful and His promises are true. Just as He appeared to His people in a manger in Bethlehem, He now comes to us in His Holy Word and Sacraments, and He will abide with us until He comes again to make a new heavens and a new earth. This Adventide, we pray that the Lord would draw especially near to us today to give us His wisdom, reign as our mighty Lord and King, serve as a sign for all people, and set His captive Israel free.

Sem. Charles McLain, Sem. Nathaniel Demlow, and Miss Brenna McGuire Advent 2024

How to use this devotional This devotional is structured around the One-Year Lectionary readings and Collects for the Advent Season and also includes LSB 344 On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry as a longer reflection, among other Advent hymns. Take time to read the pieces of Scripture and hymn stanzas and meditate upon them, and read what our writers have to say. Allow these devotions to be an aid to your already present devotional routine, or let this be a guide to you in your start to your devotional routine.

2

R

First Sunday in Advent

R

Sunday, December 1 Matthew 21:1–9 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”

This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

The call of Jesus to the rich young man, “Go, sell what you possess … and come, follow me” isn’t a call to do something that He Himself is not willing to do or He Himself has not already done.

And that’s what we see on the Triumphal Day that marks the last week of our Lord’s life. He’s willing to give everything. He presses forward to accomplish the salvation of the world. And that’s the Great Reversal: “though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9).

Victory and wealth in the Kingdom of God are not measured by an easy life of earthly wealth and success, but a sacrificial life of humility and service. Our King became poor. He left his throne in heaven, became enthroned in the lowly womb of the Virgin Mary, and awaited his humble entrance in the little town of Bethlehem. He stepped forth from His pure and kingly hall and began His heroic course of humble service on earth, where He had no place to lay His head, where He came to lay down his life as a ransom for many, and where He now rides into Jerusalem, not as a rich king, but as a poor servant with a meek and lowly heart.

“Blessed is He,” indeed. He rides into Jerusalem, not on a proud steed with armor and not to acquire a golden crown and glorious apparel, but on a humble donkey to receive a crown of thorns and to be stripped of his life and all his clothing. “Righteous and having salvation is He,” indeed. He comes in the name of the Lord and brings life and peace in His blood. He sells all He has and gives to the poor so that we might be rich in Him. Soli Deo Gloria!

Rev. David Woelmer Christ Academy High School Student, 2013, 2014, 2015 Christ Academy College Student, 2017, 2018 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2019 Christ Academy Assistant Student Director, 2019–2020 Christ Academy Student Director 2020–2021, 2022–2023

4

Monday, December 2 Collect for Ad Te Levavi 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.

Imagine you’re a first-century believer. You’ve heard the prophets of old speak of the Messiah who is to come. Yet the centuries pass, sin reigns, and God’s people only suffer all the more. In your distress, you pray God would stir up His power, come to rescue you from your sins, and save you with His deliverance. Naturally, God answers your prayer; you see a humble man riding on a donkey and colt just as Zechariah predicted. It is clear: This is the advent (coming) of the Messiah promised long ago. The Savior has finally come! With this, all you can shout is, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

This is the divine service. As God’s people, we’ve also been promised that our Messiah will return. We experience the same suffering and even pray the same prayer as the Israelites and, just as before, we hear the same blessed news: The Savior has come! Yet this advent is somehow even better. For right as we shout, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” Jesus in His body and blood comes to us by our very mouths, giving forgiveness of sins, unity with Christ, and life eternal! Yet we know this is merely a foretaste of the feast to come, where not only will we see the final advent of the Messiah, but we will experience our advent into His heavenly kingdom.

Noah Martini Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2023–2024 Christ Academy College, 2022–2024

5

Tuesday, December 3 Jeremiah 23:5–8 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’

“Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the LORD lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land.”

In the days of the King who is a righteous branch from David’s tree, Judah will be saved. They will not only be saved from Egypt, nor from the horrid exile in Babylon, but from their sins. The reign of this righteous King will be one of salvation, justice, and righteousness forever. That King does come, not in pomp and not in circumstance, but in the sacred flesh and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He arrives in the humble yet triumphant miracle of God become Man. And so, in this Man, the Lord becomes our righteousness.

Seminarian Henry “Sam” Scheltens Christ Academy High School Student, 2015–2017 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2020, 2021.

6

Wednesday, December 4 “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” (LSB 344, stanza 1) On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Awake and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings of the King of kings!

The Jordan River was a central location in the Old Testament for miracles, where the Israelites crossed with Joshua on dry ground (Joshua 3:15–17), Naaman’s leprosy was healed (2 Kings 5:14), and an ax head was made to float (2 Kings 6:6).

Now the greatest miracle is coming to us this Adventide. Our Lord is near, and He will fulfill all the promises and miracles of the Old Testament, some of which were performed and proclaimed on this same shore. The Baptist proclaims the promise of the coming Christ, the King of Kings who will save mankind from their sins.

For readers contemporaneous with Christ, this proclamation fulfilled the promise of Isaiah of the Lord coming in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3). For us today, we are to understand these glad tidings both in terms of Christ’s Incarnation as well as in terms of His Second Coming. Just as John the Baptist proclaimed the coming Christ who would be crucified for the life of the world, so too is he proclaiming the return of Christ, who will most certainly come to judge the living and the dead. So, as we approach the birth of Christ this liturgical year, let us reflect not only upon the Incarnation and give thanks for the saving work of Christ on the cross, but also on His Second Coming, where we will hear the glad tidings of salvation and obtain life eternal with Christ.

Seminarian Nate Demlow Christ Academy High School Student, 2018–2020 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2021–2024 Christ Academy College, 2023 Christ Academy Student Director, 2024

7

Thursday, December 5 Romans 13:11–14 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

People often celebrate this season with an Advent calendar. Even non-Christians use commercialized countdowns containing items like Lego mini-figures, socks, or coffee to mark off the days until Christmas. Whether we use a secular Advent calendar or one that teaches about Jesus’ birth, we daily open the doors with eager anticipation for Christmas, the day when we celebrate our God coming to dwell with us. Similarly, Paul reminds us in this reading to eagerly wait for our salvation through Christ. Each day is one day closer to the time when we will join our Lord in heaven, whether that counts down to Jesus’ second coming or our own deaths. At that time, we will be truly set free from the burden of sin and its effects. Paul continues by telling us the time of salvation is imminent so we should prepare ourselves by removing our garments of sin and instead clothing ourselves in Christ. Each time we remember our baptism and our identity as children of God, we put on Christ. He lights our paths in the darkness of this sinful world as if we were walking in the day.

He protects our feet from stumbling into the pitfalls of our sinful desires. We abstain from our sinful pleasures by focusing on Christ so that we do not forget His promise of salvation. We fill our hearts with prayers for deliverance from our afflictions.

Deaconess Katie Aiello Christ Academy College, 2018 Christ Academy High School Instructor, 2024 Deaconess Admission Counselor, 2020–2024

8

Friday, December 6 Psalm 24 The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD, strong and mighty the LORD, mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O gates!

And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!

9

Psalm 24 prompts us to reflect on the holiness of God. “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?” That is–who is worthy to approach God? Who can stand in the presence of the Holy One? “He who has clean hands and a pure heart” shall stand in His holy place. But this is a problem. It is bad news. How can we, whose hands and hearts are defiled with the blemish of sin, dare ascend God’s holy mountain? The angels surrounding His throne continuously sing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts,” yet we are unholy. “Heaven and earth are full of Your glory”—how, then, can we stand? “Hosanna in the highest!” Save us, O God, for we are unable to cleanse ourselves! But behold, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” The King of glory, the Lord of hosts, is coming lowly, and riding on a donkey. He is strong and mighty! He comes to give to us His body and His blood to heal our bodies and create in us clean hearts. We can now join in singing with the angels, “Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that Christ our Lord may come in!” “Hosanna in the Highest!” The King of glory is here to cleanse us and make us pure so that we may stand in his presence. The God of our salvation has brought us His blessing and righteousness.

Joshua Rueter Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2023–2024 Christ Academy College, 2022–2024

10

Saturday, December 7 “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” (LSB 344, stanza 2) Then cleansed be ev'ry life from sin; Make straight the way for God within, And let us all our hearts prepare For Christ to come and enter there.

John the Baptist played a key role in fulfilling Malachi 3:1 to “prepare the way before me.” His preaching goal was one of clarity: to expose sins and to proclaim the Savior who was near. Those who preach God’s word clearly and truthfully expose the compromises, excuses, and half-measures of their hearers. John did this for the people of his time, and he does it for us as well.

John used the imagery of a road from Isaiah 40. We may think that this is a road that we must prepare to reach God, that we must make a straight highway, level mountains, and fill in valleys to reach God. But that is not what Isaiah and John are saying.

Rather, God comes to us. Jesus, the Son of God and true God himself, came to us during his time on this earth. The preaching of Isaiah and John was meant for the people of God to clean up their room, to recognize where they have sinned and to repent of it. John’s message was famously vituperative against those who would not repent (Luke 3:7, “You brood of vipers!”). He was gentler toward the crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers who were baptized for repentance and asked the question, “What then shall we do?”

God works through the law to clear the path so that his Son may dwell in our hearts. It is not pleasant. Like the people of John’s day, we too should repent of our sin and be forgiven. Then as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, may we also celebrate that he comes and enters our hearts.

Rev. Joshua Woelmer Trinity Lutheran Church, Paola, Kansas Christ Academy High School Student, 2004–2007 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2008–2009 Christ Academy Assistant Student Director, 2010 Christ Academy Student Director, 2011 Christ Academy High School Professor, 2022

11

R

Second Sunday in Advent

R

Sunday, December 8 Luke 21:25–36 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The world is a scary place, filled with uncertainty. We see our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world. We see calamity and war and rumors of war. We see turbulence, threatening weather, and natural disasters. We see challenges and struggles in our own lives. The uncertainty of what is to come weighs heavy on our hearts each and every day. It is understandable why one could see these days as scary.

Jesus knew these days would be scary for us. But he gives us hope in himself so that we no longer fear but trust in him. He is the son of man who has come to forgive us of our sins and who will come to bring us out of these gray and latter days. He is the one who cleanses us and forgives us, but also walks alongside us every day. He is the one who gives to us forgiveness through water and word, and there in His very own body and blood.

So, beloved, fear not. For you have a Savior who walks alongside you to forgive you, but even more so to comfort and support you. He sends the Holy Spirit to do just that. In this, we no longer act fearfully, but rejoice in his coming this Christmas and as we prepare for his final coming.

Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt Assistant Vice President of Admission and Christ Academy Director, 2016–Present 13

Monday, December 9 Collect for Populus Zion 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.

Saint Paul says in his epistle to the Philippians, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8). We live in a world of darkness. It can be easy to look around and be overwhelmed by the indications of sin and death that surround us. The world seems hopeless and full of despair. However, there is hope.

The Light of the World has come into the world and has given to all who follow Him the light of life (see John 8:12 and John 1:9).

Although we are still in a world that is affected by sin, death, and the devil, we are not called to dwell on this darkness. Rather than focus on this evil, we are to choose to dwell on the hope, life, and salvation that is ours through Christ Jesus, the Light of the World as we cling to God’s Word, hearing and receiving it when we have the opportunity.

In the Populus Zion collect, we pray that God would work in our hearts, and that through this working in our hearts, we would be able to serve God with pure minds.

Through Christ, we have been drawn out of the darkness of this world. He has given us the light of life, and the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to receive this light and to let it shine for those around us (Matt 5:16; Phil 4:9).

Deaconess Intern RuthAnn Grabau Christ Academy College, 2020 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2023

14

Tuesday, December 10 Malachi 4:1–6 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.

“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

The Old Testament concludes with a final word from Yahweh, a word that will provide consolation to the people of Israel for the One who is to come. God wants us Christians to repent of our arrogance, a tendency toward self-reliance instead of trusting in the one true God. Then Yahweh addresses believers who, through having a reverent fear of God, will find healing in his wings in the sun of righteousness, like a hen covering their chicks from danger. Christ is the Sun of Righteousness; his wings were spread over the cross, covering our sin and saving us from death. Through his stripes we are healed.

The Israelites continued to forget God’s commands, leading to worshiping other gods. We even tend to forget as baptized children of God, thus chasing after our false gods. But God is merciful! A prophet like Elijah with spirit and truth will return. John the Baptist had the privilege above other prophets to point with his finger to the Savior of the world. When John came he was calling all to repentance for the kingdom of God, longing for changed hearts so that God’s righteous judgment would not fall upon them.

For this Advent season, we must look forward to the Sun of Righteousness, who desires to cover us with the comforting wings of His Gospel. Today, let us leap for joy like calves, for we have our salvation complete by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Shane Perry Christ Academy College, 2023–2024 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2024

15

Wednesday, December 11 “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” (LSB 344, stanza 3) We hail Thee as our Savior, Lord, Our refuge and our great reward; Without Thy grace we waste away Like flow'rs that wither and decay.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). God is our savior. He is our refuge and our great reward. Though the stormy seas of the world rage all around us and the mountains shake, God is our refuge. God is the river of water by which we are planted. His grace sustains us so that we can bear fruit in due season. Though the earth and everything in it will melt away, God is constant.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot to be moved: He who keeps you will not slumber” (Ps. 121:2–3). God’s constancy becomes our constancy.

Without His grace we fade away. Thanks be to God that His steadfast love endures forever! His grace is the most reliable thing there is. Yes, without it we would fade away, but we can rest assured that it will never depart from us. With His grace we will never fade away, even though the whole world should fade away. Everything that looks beautiful, true, and good in the world will lose its luster over time. But God’s grace, which is true beauty, truth, and goodness, will endure forever.

Seminarian Samuel Bohnet Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2021–2023 Christ Academy College, 2020–2022

16

Thursday, December 12 Romans 15:4–13 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”

And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”

And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

17

In the conclusion of his letter to the Romans, St. Paul admonishes the Christian congregation in Rome to be “like minded one toward another” (Rom. 15:5, KJV).

They are to think the same thing among one another because the head of their congregation, and all the churches, is One: Jesus Christ.

Whether they entered the church as a Jew, convicted through the work of the Holy Spirit to see all the promises of the Old Covenant as fulfilled in the man Jesus Christ, or as a Gentile, convicted by the same Spirit to see and to know the wrath of God, “revealed from heaven” (Rom. 1:18), each member of the Roman congregation sinned and came short of the glory of God, and was “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24). Because all had sinned and all were saved freely by God’s grace, now all could “with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 15:6, KJV).

Every Christian should, therefore, “receive one another” in just the same way that “Christ also received us” (Rom. 15:7, KJV). When Christ received us, He took our heavy burdens of sin, guilt, and shame, and placed upon us the easy yoke and light burden of membership in His body. When Christ received us, He made no distinction between one sinner or another: whether Jew or Greek, Christ came to serve us all, that all men might glorify His Father for His overabundant mercy forever.

Vicar Harvey Peters Christ Academy High School Student, 2018 Christ Academy High School Proctor 2019, 2022 Christ Academy Student Director 2022–2024

18

Friday, December 13 Psalm 50:1–15 The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest.

He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”

The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge!

“Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you.

I am God, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me.

I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds.

For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.

Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

19

In this season of waiting, we are reminded of the first coming of Jesus Christ and we also look forward to his second coming as well. The first few verses of the psalm describe his second advent and his coming in glory to judge both the living and the dead. but he will still gather to himself his faithful ones who have made a covenant by sacrifice. What is this sacrifice? The psalmist declares that God has no need for your sacrifices of bulls or goats or birds because everything already belongs to him. Instead he demands that you sacrifice thanksgiving.

Sacrificing thanksgiving is only possible if you have been given something to be thankful for. That something is what this season is about. That something is what John the Baptist prepared the way for. That something is the incarnate Lord Jesus Christ, who grew up to be the all-sufficient sacrifice, saving sinners and covering them in his blood from the cross. The name of Jesus is the name to call upon in our time of trouble, for he shall deliver us. For all this we are to thank, praise, serve and obey him.

Seminarian Jonah Clausen Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2019–2022

20

Saturday, December 14 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (LSB 338, v.1) Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art, Dear desire of ev’ry nation, Joy of ev’ry longing heart.

One line that has continuously stuck out to me in this verse, as short as it may be, is “Let us find our rest in Thee.” At first glance, it seems like such a simple concept.

We are released from our fears and our sins because Christ died for them. But there is something more to this. God the Father asks us to lay our worries on his shoulders; he can carry any burden and wants to carry it for us. Taking that weight off our own shoulders and putting it onto him gives relief beyond compare. However, it can be more than difficult to relinquish those anxieties. We hold onto them for one reason or another. Oh, this feels so minor; I won’t make him take it. Oh, I know this was sinful and there’s no way I’d be forgiven for this stupid decision. We might even go so far as to pretend the weight doesn’t exist, or that by somehow bearing it ourselves, we can therefore prove something. Avoiding help that has been willingly and lovingly placed before you is neither brave nor intelligent. Echoing Zechariah, Christ was born to set us free. In this statement alone there is hope. Taking on these sinful burdens is the whole reason he was born in the first place; the reason there is a Christmas to celebrate is because of those actions or thoughts we would rather not talk about.

Christ promised to take care of us. Just as John the Baptist survived in the wilderness, so shall we, through God and His Word, survive our own wilderness.

Arianna Clausen Christ Academy High School Student, 2017–2018 Christ Academy College, 2018–2020 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2019–2023

21

R

Third Sunday in Advent

R

Sunday, December 15 Matthew 11:2–10 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

Who needed reassurance? Was it John the Baptist or was it John’s disciples?

John had been crying out in the wilderness and preparing the way of the Lord. Why would someone go out shouting the truth and then follow up making sure the truth was true? John sends his disciples to Jesus not for his sake, but for theirs. The disciples of John needed proof that Jesus was the one to come.

Jesus’ response to them is not one of frustration or anger, but rather a lesson.

Jesus shows them who He is and what He will do. Jesus gave them what they needed so that they might believe in Him. This is a beautiful message to us as we await our celebration of the Incarnation.

This Jesus that we celebrate as a baby in a feeding trough is the one who has gone to the cross for our redemption. Plus, “the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.” Behold, Jesus has come. Let us rejoice and be glad in Him. Seminarian Charles McLain Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2020–2023 Christ Academy Student Director, 2023–2024

23

Monday, December 16 Collect for Gaudete Sunday Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer is the tool given to us by God to have our needs and wants heard by our Father in heaven. God has promised us that he will hear our prayers and answer them.

Why then do we here implore these petitions be heard? We implore His Son Jesus to hear us because we recognize our iniquity and sin-soaked nature which proves us unworthy of God’s favor and unworthy of His love. Here we humbly ask that Christ would serve as our mediator with the Father as we are unable to do anything that is good.

As fallen people we are darkened under the stain of sin and unable to make any light of our own. The light of salvation which we are given is only a reflection of that light which comes through Christ, who has bought for us salvation and favor with our Father who is in heaven. We now, by the grace of God through Christ, are given the gift of faith.

This faith was first given in our Baptism through water and the Spirit. This same faith now grows and is strengthened by the visitation of the Spirit. That is, whenever we gather to hear God’s Word, and when we listen to sound preaching and teaching.

We also notice the visitation of the Spirit in the Lord’s Supper where we are given Christ’s body and blood which grants the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. God grant that we may never again know true darkness in our hearts. Amen.

Kerby Baars Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2023–2024

24

Tuesday, December 17 Isaiah 40:1–8 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?”

All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

25

Every time my family and I travel to visit our relatives for the holidays, we head west on the National Freeway and wind our way through the Appalachian Mountains.

It’s a scenic but sometimes treacherous trip. High winds, thick fog, and black ice could lurk just over the next ridge. It requires careful attention and skill to navigate the highway safely.

The journey to Bethlehem for us this Adventide is just as dangerous. We’d like to do a straight sprint to the stable to kneel at the manger, but the Church Year doesn’t let us. Advent forces us to reckon with the mountains of evil, the valleys of death, the darkness that dwells in the wilderness of our hearts. The voice cries, “Prepare the Way of the Lord!” Make straight! Repent! Can you navigate the peaks of sin on your own? Of course not!

But in His mercy, God doesn’t just navigate the peaks and valleys with us.

Instead, he floods them with His forgiveness—a flood that destroys mountains, lifts up valleys, scours down every surface into a pleasant Way down which our newborn Lord strides to meet us. And so we pray now more than ever, “Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus, / Turn not from me aside, / And help me to receive You / This blessed Adventide.” (LSB 354) Rev. Ethan Stoppenhagen Messiah Lutheran Church, Germantown, Maryland Christ Academy High School Student, 2014 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2015–2016, 2018 Christ Academy Student Director, 2019–2020, 2022

26

Wednesday, December 18 “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” (LSB 344, stanzas 4-5) Lay on the sick Thy healing hand And make the fallen strong to stand; Show us the glory of Thy face Till beauty springs in ev'ry place.

All praise, eternal Son, to Thee Whose advent sets Thy people free.

Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Spirit evermore.

Jesus came to earth to give—to give many things! Healing to the lame, the sick, the blind; hope to those who felt hopeless; faith to those who were lost. This is what people began to expect. Some brought the broken to Him, some came because they were curious, yet none came for the ultimate reason that Jesus came as a baby to earth for us: to suffer and die to pay for the forgiveness of our sins. Being able to see, or walk, is definitely a gift! But forgiveness of our sins and a place at His table is the greatest of all gifts.

As we look forward to this season of Advent, we prepare ourselves by going to the services, confessing and receiving absolution, and being fed by the Word and Sacraments. Knowing we are healed we have hope through faith in Christ. So rejoice!

All praise to Him, whose advent has set us free!

Mrs. Faith Garza Christ Academy High School Student, 2017–2019 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2020–2023

27

Thursday, December 19 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

Almighty God places men into the apostolic ministry to serve in Christ’s stead and by His command. They are accounted ministers and stewards. They are ministers, unworthy servants, merely seeking to be found faithful. They are also stewards, those who dispense things that don’t belong to them, who serve in His stead. To them are committed God’s mysteries, God’s Gospel and Sacraments, that His saints might through them be accounted innocent for Christ’s sake.

When it comes to the value of these mysteries and ministry, the judgment of man matters little. All that the mortal eye beholds is water. All the mouth tastes is earthly food. All the eye beholds is a man publicly portrayed as crucified. The world sees us as hypocrites, judgmental, and despises us. The truth is fully unveiled and revealed on the Last Day. Then, He whom yet unseen we love shall come to be our judge. The deeds of men, and the counsels of their hearts will likewise be fully known. The books will open then to all, and each will be known as he has been in thoughts and words and actions. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Here is the mystery hidden before the foundation of the world, revealed in the fullness of time, and given to the faithful to cling to in every time of need.

Rev. Joseph Greenmyer Faith Lutheran Church, Parkston, South Dakota, and Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Emery, South Dakota Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2018–2020 Christ Academy Student Director, 2020–2022

28

Friday, December 20 Psalm 85 LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin.

You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!

Will you be angry with us forever?

Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.

29

“Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other” (Psalm 85:10).

This psalm was originally written after Judah returned from the Babylonian Captivity. It speaks of what God had done in restoring their fortunes, forgiving their iniquity, and withdrawing His wrath (vv. 1–3).

The wrath of God is not something that we are really comfortable with today. We want a God of love without justice. We want a God of peace but not a God of war.

But in the Bible, truth and love are not contradictory. The God who is love is the selfsame God who wages war on our enemies, guards and protects from all evil, and who punishes sin.

So where do we find justice and mercy wed together? Only in Jesus Christ, the son of God and the Son of Man. In Jesus, we have the One who lives a life of steadfast love (chesed) toward us but who also bears our sins on the cross. He is innocent but punished on our behalf. He is faithful but treated as a betrayer. He is love incarnate but is condemned as a rebel and a murderer who is the embodiment of hatred.

It is for this reason that we call the incarnation a mystery. This is beyond our human comprehension, beyond all reason and experience. That is the essence of the love of God for us in Christ Jesus. God restores us, gives us a place and a home, and lays our sin upon His only Son. What a wondrous mystery! What a gift beyond all price! Amen.

Dr. Todd A. Peperkorn CTSFW Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions CTSFW Director of Residential Pastoral Formation Programs CTSFW Director of Vicarage

30

Saturday, December 21 Prepare the Royal Highway (LSB 343, v.4) His is no earthly kingdom; It comes from heav’n above.

His rule is peace and freedom And justice, truth, and love.

So let your praise be sounding For kindness so abounding: Hosanna to the Lord, For He fulfills God’s Word!

His is no earthly kingdom. If our Lord’s kingdom is not like an earthly kingdom, then what is it like? In some ways, earthly kingdoms are all the Church knows on this side of heaven. Kingdoms are territories or states governed by people in power, and as long as the Church awaits her Bridegroom’s return, she lives in a political kingdom.

(Yes, even the constitutional republic of the United States is such an earthly kingdom.) Living in earthly kingdoms isn’t always pleasant. God permitted the kingdoms of Assyria and Babylon to ravage His people, leaving a faithful remnant to look forward to the coming Messiah. The early Church suffered persecution under the strong might of the Roman Empire, and our Lord Jesus died upon a Roman cross mockingly hailed as the King of the Jews.

This Advent season, we await our promised King of Kings, Jesus Christ. His kingdom from heaven above rules in ways contrary to all other kingdoms. In His kingdom, the first shall be last and the last shall be first (Matt. 20:16). The lowly are exalted, and the mighty are toppled from their thrones (Luke 1:52). This kingdom belongs first not to the elite and powerful, but to babies and little children (Mark 10:14). This kingdom is no different than its Servant King, whose emblem of power is a crown of thorns, whose scepter is a bruised reed, whose throne is a cross. This King is our hope when all other kingdoms rise and fall. His rule is peace and freedom and justice, truth, and love.

This Advent season, we look forward to the return of Jesus on the Last Day, when “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). Come quickly, King Jesus!

Deaconess Cambria Pauls Deaconess, Messiah Lutheran Church, Marysville, Washington Christ Academy High School Student, 2015 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2018–2021 Christ Academy Student Director, 2021–2023 Christ Academy High School Instructor, 2024

31

R

Fourth Sunday in Advent

R

Sunday, December 22 Luke 1:39–56 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home. (ESV)

33

“Blessed is the fruit of your womb!” Indeed, the Savior of the Nations reigns from the womb of the Blessed Virgin revered and praised by Elizabeth and the babe she carries, who will be none other than the forerunner and great witness to this Son. The Seed which was promised to Eve has finally blossomed, the Incarnate Christ a reality. He has taken on flesh and is being knitted together in the womb of His mother.

We are drawing close to the celebration of His birth and all that this means for us and for our salvation. We leap with joy alongside the pre-born John the Baptist in the presence of our Lord. With Elizabeth, we admire the faith of the Theotokos, the one whom God has chosen to bear His one and only Son. Our voices join Mary’s as we confess the mighty deeds of our Lord and witness to His great and abundant mercy.

The promised Seed is here. The hope of the whole world is growing in the womb of the woman.

May we forever rejoice in Him. Deaconess Student Brenna McGuire Christ Academy Assistant Student Director, 2023–2024

34

Monday, December 23 From Heaven Above to Earth I Come (LSB 358, stanzas 6-10) How glad we'll be to find it so!

Then with the shepherds let us go To see what God for us has done In sending us His own dear Son. Come here, my friends, lift up your eyes, And see what in the manger lies.

Who is this child, so young and fair?

It is the Christ Child lying there.

Welcome to earth, O noble Guest, Through whom the sinful world is blest!

You came to share my misery That You might share Your joy with me.

Ah, Lord, though You created all, How weak You are, so poor and small, That You should choose to lay Your head Where lowly cattle lately fed!

Were earth a thousand times as fair And set with gold and jewels rare, It would be far too poor and small A cradle for the Lord of all.

35

Stanza 6 of Luther’s beloved Christmas hymn shifts the focus from the angel’s message of salvation to the shepherd’s joyful response. This shift also invites us to share in the joyful response of the shepherds, as we also know who this child is and why He has come. This most noble guest has come to bless the earth, despite its depravity. For through the suffering of this same child will come salvation, as our reconciliation with God could only be accomplished with this child taking on our human nature (Hebrews 2:14). This weak, poor, and small child begins His earthly life in the lowliest state, yet Luther understands why He lies in this humble manger.

Christ was obedient for His whole life, from His birth to His crucifixion, that He might be exalted (Philippians 2:7–9).

Although this child appears weak and lowly in this state, we know that this humiliation will turn to exaltation, and that the Son of God will be raised for our justification. With the shepherds we shall go, as we await the fast approaching birth of the Christ child this liturgical year. So let us rejoice with the shepherds, the angels, and all the saints, since God has had mercy on us, and has given His Son for this broken world.

Lord God, Heavenly Father, as the anticipation of Adventide is quickly coming to its realization in the birth of Your only Son, we give You thanks for this blessed gift which we do not deserve. Stir up Your power, that our sins would be forgiven for the sake of this same Christ child, who, though lowly now, is our mighty Savior and deliverer. All this we pray in the name of this same child, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Seminarian Nate Demlow Christ Academy High School Student, 2018–2020 Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2021–2024 Christ Academy College, 2023 Christ Academy Student Director, 2024

36

Tuesday, December 24 Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” The words of the prophet Isaiah are fulfilled as Matthew records it for us.

On this night, we quietly marvel at the humble birth of the Christ, God in the flesh, born of the Virgin Mary. While we savor this moment, knowing both what was said of Him by the prophets and His own words and deeds concerning who He is, perhaps we can sit with Joseph for a moment. Joseph, whose awe at the birth of His Lord and Savior has come not without great personal distress and confusion.

Joseph has taken a leap of faith, believing that what is conceived in Mary is from the Holy Spirit and that in her womb reigns the promised Messiah, the Son of Man. What he first believed would bring great shame upon him and his betrothed turns out to be the very healing balm for all shame and suffering. Though Matthew does not express Joseph’s thoughts here, we can imagine that as he gives this infant the name of Jesus, there is a moment of both great relief and great anticipation as he identifies his Savior.

May we gaze in wonder now at the infant Christ with Joseph and Mary, always with an eye towards the cross He will bear to save us and comforted by His everlasting presence.

Deaconess Student Brenna McGuire Assistant Student Director, 2023–2024

37

Wednesday, December 25 John 1:1–14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.

He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

It's finally here. We’ve been waiting for the moment when we wake up and the day is upon us. Today we mean this to be Christmas, the day when we celebrate the Son of God taking on and redeeming our very flesh. This is something that we so desperately need. Ever since the fall into sin, our flesh has been broken and lifeless.

Now a light has come, a light that pushes the darkness away and gives guidance to our flesh. This is why the psalmist can write, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Jesus is that Word.

John is subtle in this passage. When he writes that “the Word became flesh . . . we beheld His glory,” His glory is not just His incarnation, but rather the reason for the incarnation. The Word became flesh to go to the cross and die. The cross is His glory, a glory of grace and truth. May we rejoice that our Father sent His Son, and let us look to His second coming when we will be brought to live with Him. Seminarian Charles McLain Christ Academy High School Proctor, 2020–2023 Christ Academy Student Director, 2023–2024

38

ADDITIONAL READINGS The Three-Year Lectionary: Series C Advent to Epiphany SEASON ADVENT

CHRISTMAS

EPIPHANY

DATE

FESTIVAL

GOSPEL

Dec. 1

First S. in Advent (Ad Te Levavi)

Luke 19:28–40 or Luke 21:25–36

Dec. 8

Second S. in Advent (Populus Zion)

Luke 3:1–14 (15–20)

Dec. 15

Third S. in Advent (Gaudete)

Luke 7:18–28 (29–35)

Dec. 22

Fourth S. in Advent (Rorate Coeli)

Luke 1:39–45 (46–56)

Dec. 24 Eve

The Nativity of Our Lord

Matt. 1:18–25

Dec. 25 The Nativity of Our Lord Midnight

Luke 2:1–14 (15–20)

Dec. 25 Dawn

The Nativity of Our Lord

Luke 2:1–14 (15–20)

Dec. 25 Day

The Nativity of Our Lord

John 1:1–14 (15–18)

Dec. 26

St. Stephen, Martyr

Matt. 23:34–39

Dec. 27

St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

John 21:20–25

Dec. 28

The Holy Innocents

Matt. 2:13–18

Dec. 31

Eve of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus

Luke 12:35–40

Jan. 1

Circumcision and Name of Jesus

Luke 2:21

Jan. 6

The Epiphany of Our Lord

Matt. 2:1–12

Upcoming Christ Academy Events Christ Academy Confirmation Retreat February 21–23, 2025 and September 19–21, 2025

Christ Academy Timothy School & Phoebe School June 15–28, 2025 Timothy School: ctsfw.edu/TimothySchool

Phoebe School: ctsfw.edu/PhoebeSchool

Christ Academy College October 24–26, 2025

Like us on Facebook! facebook.com/christacademyctsfw