What gifts are waiting for you under the tree, soon to be opened? Have you looked? Maybe, when no one else was around, you snuck in and picked up the package with your name on it to gauge its weight. Maybe you shook it to get a sense of what it might contain. What gifts are you hoping for?
Whatever is in that package under the tree, will it satisfy? Will it be as amazing as you imagine, or will it break soon after opening? Will it live up to your expectations, or will it not be all you had hoped for? Will it take away the guilt or pain that you are feeling now? Will it fill the hole in your heart? Will it provide only a momentary rush, or will it provide lasting joy?
As wonderful as the gifts might be, God has given you a gift that is greater than all. God has given you a gift that is perfect and holy. A gift that has the power to erase everything you’ve ever done wrong. A gift that is not only the answer to all we struggle with here on earth but also provides lasting joy and peace. A gift that provides your ticket to an eternity in heaven that will never perish, spoil, or fade.
This one-of-a-kind gift is his Son, Jesus. God gave the very best that he had. He gave what no one else could or would. God gave the perfect gift. In Jesus, we have forgiveness and eternal life. In Jesus, we have the love of God and the reassurance that he is there for us. This gift from God is exactly what we needed. And guess what? This gift never fades over time. It does not break. It never fails to live up to what God promised. In Jesus, we are always saved, forgiven, and loved. Through this gift, we have eternal life in heaven.
As you open your gifts this year, remember the greatest gift. Thank God for the gift of his Son, Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of your Son. He is the perfect gift. Help me to appreciate the blessings he brings all year through. Amen.
We hear a lot about peace this time of year. Christmas carols sing about peace on earth. Talking heads on television speak of how the true meaning of the holiday season is peace and goodwill among men. They dreamily describe a world where we all will live in perfect peace and harmony with each other.
While such a picture might look beautiful and sound wonderful, it is not reality. There is no peace on earth. Look around. Politicians stab each other in the back and refuse to work together for the common good. Nations continue to threaten each other. People scream at each other and post terrible things about other people all over social media. Family members argue and fight. This world has never known true peace, and that is not ever going to change. We live in a sinful world, and disharmony and strife come with the territory.
That is why Christmas is so important. Jesus entered into this world so full of conflict and disharmony. And he came to bring something this world longs for: peace. Yet, it is important that we understand what the Bible means when it says about Jesus: “And he will be our peace.” While peace between men and nations is a wonderful thing to have and strive for, there is a far more important kind of peace: Peace between sinners and a holy God. Jesus came to provide just that.
In Jesus’ life and death in our place, we have peace with God. Our sins have been removed, and our guilt paid for. Sin—the giant barrier that once stood between God and us—has been forever removed. We now have peace with God.
Do you realize what that means? It means we can go to him in prayer and know that he hears us. It means we have the protection he offers through his angels and the promise that he is with us always. And it means that we will live with him in perfect peace forever in heaven. This world will never experience perfect peace, but that blessing is and will be ours forever with Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for providing true peace. Help me to know that I am forgiven and saved and to keep my eyes on my heavenly home. Amen.
In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:42-44
What are you excited about this Christmas season? What brings you joy this time of year? Maybe it’s watching your grandkids open their gifts. Perhaps, you are eager to celebrate with family and friends. Maybe, you enjoy curling up with some hot chocolate as you watch your favorite classic Christmas movies.
Then again, maybe you cannot wait for Christmas to be over. Perhaps some hurt or hardship is making all the Christmas cheer sound like nails on a chalkboard for you. Maybe a profound loss in your life has turned this time of year into a terrible reminder of what is no longer in your life. It could be that you would just as soon avoid the whole holiday season.
Whether you are ready to celebrate or just want the season to be over, there is one reason for true joy as we prepare to celebrate Christmas. The baby who was born to Mary was no ordinary baby. John leaped for joy because of what that baby would bring. Our Savior has come into this world and achieved for us what we could never do for ourselves. Jesus brings forgiveness and eternal salvation to all who believe in him. Jesus brings peace with God now and forever. Jesus being born into this world is proof that God keeps his promises. It is proof that God cares. Because Jesus came down to earth for you and me, we have a sure and certain future in a place without pain or sin, or loss of any kind.
God bless your celebration of our Savior’s birth this Christmas. May this time of year bring you true joy: the joy of knowing your sins are forgiven, and you are God’s child. And if you don’t feel much like celebrating, know that in Christ, you will be part of an eternal celebration in heaven.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for coming here to be my Savior. Help me always to find true joy in the blessings you bring. Amen.
We prepare ourselves to worship the one Savior God by expressing our humble repentance, offering our fervent prayers and singing our thankful hymns of praise.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
M: We light four Advent candles remembering Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Mary. He came to share our humanity.
C:We remember Jesus whose name means Savior. He came to save his people from their sins.
M: We hear his call to give him a place in our hearts.
C:We light four Advent candles as a sign of our joy and hope.
M: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest.
C:Through your Word and Spirit may our souls be blessed
Four Advent candles are lit.
OPENING HYMN CW 23, Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel
†THE COMMON SERVICE†
Please stand.
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
CONFESSION OF SINS
We confess to God that we have failed to live up to the perfect standards in his law, and we plead for his mercy.
M: Beloved in the Lord; let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
C:Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
LORD, HAVE MERCY
Kyrie
M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
GLORY BE TO GOD
Gloria in Excelsis
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: The Lord be with you.
M: Let us pray.
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Take away the burden of our sins and make us ready for the celebration of your birth, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Please be seated for the day’s Scripture readings.
† THE WORD †
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture reading, preaching and song.
FIRST LESSON Micah 5:2-5a(today’s sermon text)
Summary: A Ruler will come out of Bethlehem
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.
PSALM 85
* All sing refrains, read verses and Gloria.
You showed favor to your land, O LORD;*
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people*
and covered all their sins.
Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,*
and grant us your salvation.
Refrain
I will listen to what God the LORD will say;*
he promises peace to his people, his saints.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,*
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;*
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son*
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,*
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Refrain
SECOND LESSONHebrews 10:5-10
Summary: Christ came to do God’s will
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.’”
First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
VERSE OF THE DAY Matthew 1:23
M: Alleluia. The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel. Alleluia.
Please stand.
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 1:39-55
Summary: Mary’s Song of Praise
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”
NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Be seated.
HYMN OF THE DAY CW 65, O Little Town of Bethlehem
SERMON Micah 5:2-5a
“Make Room For the Prince of Peace!”
He came according to promise
He came to be your Peace
Please stand.
Please be seated.
ADVENT SEASON & INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
*Read by pastor, IP pg. 15)
Please stand.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Please be seated.
HYMN CW 399:1,2 To God Be the Glory
M: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
M: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.
Please be seated.
CLOSING HYMN CW 399:3 To God Be the Glory
*Bulletin page 12.
†ANNOUNCEMENTS†
December 19 – December 25
Sun.
8:00a.m.
Emmanuel Worship
8:30a.m.
Sunday School at St. John’s
9:00a.m.
Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
10:00a.m.
St. John’s Worship
11:00a.m.
Teacher Call meeting at St. John’s
3:00p.m.
Piano Recital at St. John’s
Mon.
Christmas Spirit Week at St. John’s School
6:30p.m.
Joint Choir at St. John’s
7:30p.m.
Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
Tues.
6:00p.m.
School Board Zoom meeting
Wed.
8:00a.m.
School Chapel
10:00a.m.
Montello Care Center Devotion
10:30a.m.
Adult Bible Study
1:45p.m.
Early School Release
2:15p.m.
Public Teen Confirmation Class at St. John’s
Thurs
8:30a.m.
St. John’s School Christmas Rehearsal
9:30a.m.
School Christmas Parties
11:30a.m.
Early School Release
6:30p.m.
Emmanuel Christmas Worship
Fri.
Christmas Eve
Christmas School Break
4:00p.m.
School Christmas Eve Service at St. John’s
Sat.
Christmas Day
9:00a.m.
St. John’s Christmas Day Worship
No St. John’s 4:30p.m. Worship
Next week’s theme: December 26, 2021 Christmas 1 – Christ Came to Be Our Brother
8:00 a.m.
Emmanuel Worship with communion
8:30a.m.
Sunday School at St. John’s
9:00a.m.
Adult Bible Study at St. John’s
10:00a.m.
St. John’s Worship with communion
† CHURCH NEWS †
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS(read by pastor)
– For the sick and distressed…Caryl Bassett, Mike Brown, Ed & Warren Buchholz, Darlene Burrough (Judy Fandrey’s niece), Sharon Crook, Jan Dahlke, Ann & Roberta Davison (Beth Johnson’s daughters), Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Ken & Sally Elmer, Mike Farrell, Judy Freitag, Donna Gatzke, Kelleen Grucza (Judy Fandrey’s daughter), Marian Heller, Roger Hillmer, Jerry & Darlene Hunter (Bonnie Chapman’s parents), Xzander Jahr, Ellie Kendall, Bob Klapper, Arden Klimke, Robert Lederer (Jackie & Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Thomas Marcelain (Dawn’s son), Diane Metcalf, Mary Anne Myers (Teacher Shelley Myers’ mother), Arlene Neale (Ruth Jones’ sister), Phil Nelson (Melanie Zuehls’ step-father), Steve Parrish, Karen Radke, Wanda Sellnow (Principal Larry Sellnow’s mother), Doris Smith, Mary Smith, Tom Stempniak (Carol’s husband), Dennis & Ramona Wacholtz, Kathy Weinfurter (Ken Pabelick’s mother-in-law) (added this week: )
– For those affected by last week’s tornados
– For the family of our St. John’s member, Louise Hillmer, called to her heavenly home on 12/13
– For Ed and Marlene Buchholz who will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on 12/25
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SERVICE AT ST. JOHN’S has been rescheduled for Sunday, Jan. 2. We will have practice on Thursday, Dec. 30 9:30-11:30am.
CHRISTMAS CARDS are available for purchase in St. John’s lower level. Cards range from $1-$5. Come get them while they last!
CHRISTMAS EVE FELLOWSHIP AT EMMANUEL Dec. 23 after the Christmas Eve Worship Service. All members and guests are invited for light refreshments and cookies. If you have extra cookies, please bring a plate to share.
NEW CHURCH ATTENDANCE SYSTEM Using your smartphone, please scan the code on the back side of the bulletin, using your phone camera, and fill out the prompted information. This new system directly notifies our pastor and keeps you current and our system up to date.
If you do not have a smartphone, please fill out the attendance card located at the end of each pew. Place it in the offering plate when you are finished. Thank you!
NEW HYMNALS The hymnals are here! If you haven’t picked yours up yet, please find them on the pew in the linkway or see Ciara in the office. It seems as though we should start using them, but for several reasons we need to be patient. We want the use of our new hymnals and worship tools to start out as comfortably as possible so we need a little time to explore the musicians’ resources and the technology resources. Please be patient. We hope to begin using them sometime soon after the first of the year. Now is a great time to become familiar with the hymnal itself. If you purchased one, take it out and open it up. You will find some differences, but overall there is a great amount of continuity between Christian Worship and our new hymnal, Christian Worship 21 (CW21).
If you have any questions about the hymnal or would like to order one, please contact a member of the worship committee. Thank you. May God be praised with our new worship tools!
WLA CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Thank you from Winnebago Lutheran Academy for having us visit your church services recently. It was a privilege to share with you some WLA Association news along with our plans to build a new high school campus. Please contact Kevin Ehlke with any questions you may have at 920-539-4041 or kehlke@wlavikings.org. If you would like to give in support of our current capital campaign, please use the brochures provided at your church or go to our website forward.wlavikings.org/donate. Gifts can be mailed to WLA or given online at our website. Thank you for your continued support of WLA!
GIFTS FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS Please consider making a gift towards the following church or school projects. Your gift, to the project of your choice, will be recorded under your member account in our Shepherd’s Staff program unless you specifically request it be recorded as anonymous. Donor names and gift amounts are not published. Your gift can be placed in the offering plate, the locked drop box by the office, or mailed. Please contact the church/school secretary, Ciara Neuhauser, if you have any questions.
Project Name & Brief Description_____________________ _ Amount Needed
Church & School Computer Server Upgrade $6,621.64
(costs for replacing server)
House Demolition $9,500.00
(costs related to tear down of old Little Lambs house)
Church Piano $1,500.00
Church A/V Upgrades $2,000.00
Ministerial Tuition Assistance No limit in place
(assistance for members pursuing the ministry)
Outreach Activities No limit in place
(church and/or school outreach supplies, fees)
St. John’s School Tuition Assistance No limit in place
(assistance for parents of students)
School Technology Fund No limit in place
(maintain teacher and student computers, smartboards)
† SCHOOL NEWS †
BASKETBALL & CHEERLEADING No practice Dec. 20-Dec. 31
CHRISTMAS BREAK Dec. 24-Jan. 2
God’s Great Promises Become Reality
The Fourth Sunday in Advent – Series C
God’s Word for Today
God left enough clues for the people of the Old Testament to know what was coming in the Messiah. This not only included the city in which He would be born, but also what his great work would be – the sacrifice “once for all.” How exciting it must have been for those who realized it was now happening!
First Lesson (Micah 5:2-5a)
What is going to make little Bethlehem great?
What effect will that child of Bethlehem have on us today?
Second Lesson (Hebrews 10:5-10)
Why wasn’t God pleased with the sacrifices of the Old Testament times?
What assurances do you have now that Jesus has finished his work?
Gospel (Luke 1:39-55)
What amazing thing happened when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting.
What does Mary’s song reveal?
Answers:
In connection with Christmastime the city of Bethlehem will be known throughout the world because the ancient of days, the ruler of Israel, the Savior will be born there.
He will be our peace and calm our hearts. He will be the one who watches over us like a shepherd but with the power of the universe at his disposal. Such a picture of his tender care for us will reach throughout the world. (Do your realize that peace?)
The ritual offerings of the sacrifices could not do away with sin nor could they calm the guilty conscience. They did however help the nation of Israel realize the death sentences of sin as well as look forward to the promised substitute, the Messiah who would provide eternal forgiveness.
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross of Christ had to be done only once and it became effective for everyone. Because of it, we are considered holy in God’s sight and prepared for being transformed to be like him. (Is this the central part of your faith and life?
The baby in her womb, John the Baptist, leaped in her womb for joy. Then the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth with new insight and thrill for what was happening. What awesome things the Holy Spirit does in connection with the message of Jesus!
Mary knew that like the rest of the world she needed a Savior. Now God was carrying out the promise that was clearly spoken to Abraham and anticipated for generations. Generations to come would look at this event and see how God powerfully lifts the humble up to experience the great things he won for us.
Attendance
Emmanuel
St. John’s
12-8
12-11
13
12-12
51
51
St. John’s Altar Committee for November 2021:Kay Maass & Jennie Utke
Help us stay in touch!
Scan the code below using your smartphone camera and fill out the prompted information.
Don’t have a smartphone? That’s ok! Please fill out an attendance card located at the end of each pew and place it in the offering plate or give it to an usher.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:41-44
The pressure of the holiday season can sometimes suck the joy out of us. Will everything get done on time—shopping, baking, decorating, and more? Will Uncle Ralph lose his temper at the family party? Will Cousin Betty’s nasty words bite deep? Will my kids embarrass me? And what if the unexpected happens? What if there’s an accident, sickness, or problems at work or school? What if those I’m counting on fall short? What if my hopes and expectations end with disappointment and misery?
Take a breath and remember whom we are meeting at the manger. Even before his birth, Jesus brought joy to those who knew him.
The angel Gabriel announced to Mary that even though she was a virgin, she would give birth to a child, the Son of the Most High. His name would be Jesus. After the angel left her, Mary hurried from Nazareth to Judea to visit her relative Elizabeth. As Mary greeted her, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She knew the one who Mary carried in her womb, and Elizabeth’s unborn child also knew him. He leaped for joy.
Mary’s child is our Lord. Everything that distracts us from him accentuates how much we need him. Why do we feel empty? Because we’ve tried to fill our hearts with other things. And anything except Jesus leaves our hearts empty in the end.
But remember whom you are meeting. The one born of Mary and laid in the manger is your Savior, your Redeemer, your Lord. He lifts you up out of the depths of your guilt. He fills your empty, hungering heart with the good news of his forgiveness. Leap for joy, for you get to meet Jesus.
Prayer: (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 19)
O Lord, how shall I meet you,
How welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you,
My Hope, my heart’s Delight.
What a wonderful time of the year it truly is: bright, blinking Christmas lights, frosted Christmas cookies, Christmas parties, Christmas presents under the decorated Christmas trees! People seem to be much happier and joyful at Christmas time. Christmas shoppers at crowded shopping malls will smile at one another and say, “Merry Christmas” and “Happy holidays!”
But will this Christmas joy and happiness last beyond the holiday season? For most people, no, it won’t. When the Christmas lights are taken down, when the Christmas tree is hauled out to the curb, when the stale Christmas cookies are thrown away, happiness and joy will come to an end. The rat race of life will continue—same old, same old.
Friend, rejoice! Rejoice, always. The apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote these words. No matter what your circumstance in life is, rejoice. Why? How? Because Jesus Christ is your Savior from sin and eternal condemnation in hell. Rejoice because the Christmas gospel is for you, and it is all about you! The herald angel said on that first frosty Christmas Eve, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born for you. He is Christ the Lord.” Rejoice because the Lord is near. With each tick of the clock, we are one step closer to Jesus’ second and final coming to this earth. When Jesus comes again in all his glory and accompanied by his mighty angels, he will make all things new and put an end to all our troubles and sorrows.
May God grant you true Christmas joy; today and always!
Prayer:
Lord, I rejoice in the salvation you came to provide. Amen.
Between World War I and World War II, France created a sophisticated line of defense between itself and Germany. The Maginot Line was 280 miles long. It was an unbroken network of concrete bunkers, gun emplacements, and artillery forts. Everything about it was state-of-the-art. There was a telephone and wireless communications system. There was an underground railroad to transport troops. It contained comfortable barracks, mess halls, hospitals and even recreation areas.
One and a half million cubic meters of concrete went into the making of the Maginot Line. That, and 150 thousand tons of steel. Five hundred thousand personnel occupied the line at all times. This miracle of technology became the pride of France—so much so that her citizens saw little need for further vigilance.
Then came World War II. And to her shock, France watched as a modernized, fast-moving German army invaded her borders by finding a way to go around the Maginot Line. The sense of security France had possessed was false.
In Luke chapter 3, the purpose for John the Baptist’s ministry was to prepare hearts for the arrival of the Messiah, the Savior from sin. As he spoke, many of John’s listeners had a comfortable, Maginot Line sense of security. Many presumed that, because they were descendants of Abraham, the great Old Testament believer—they presumed they somehow had an automatic pass when it came to their own, personal sins. After all, why worry about your sin when your family connections already identify you as a good person?
You and I can fall into the same trap. Maybe I have fond memories of taking part in the church Christmas program as a child. Maybe I can tell funny stories about the pastor who taught me in catechism class. Maybe I can swap inside jokes about my church body with the best of them. But the moment I presume that somehow gives me a pass regarding the personal guilt of my sin—that’s the day my soul is lost.
No false security. Only Jesus. Only his perfect life on my behalf. Only his blood. Only in him will all be well.
Prayer:
No more false security, Lord Jesus. Give me a repentant heart. Move me to cling to you alone. Amen.
Just outside Washington, DC, a guard is marching back and forth in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. To serve as a guard demands superb focus, discipline, and devotion to duty. A soldier first receives special training that is long, exacting, and difficult. The first phase of the training has a 60 percent fail rate. The second phase has 90 percent.
In addition, no one should ever make the mistake of presuming the guard on duty is not serious about protecting the dignity of the tomb. YouTube has several examples of what happens when an immature tourist decides to challenge the guard in some way. Every time, the results for the tourist are not pleasant.
Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, a guard is there. That elite sentinel is always watching, vigilant, and prepared to protect.
When the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi, he was writing to people who knew about military life. Many retired soldiers called Philippi home. Anyone who had served as a Roman soldier knew the profound seriousness of serving as a guard. Failure in such duty could mean your execution.
Paul, therefore, meant something when he promised the Philippian Christians that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” This peace, of which Paul spoke, was not some sentimental wish. Rather, it was a specific peace that Christ Jesus had conquered for them on their behalf. He had conquered it for them through the sinless life he had lived in their place. He had conquered it for them through his suffering and death for their every sin. And now, because Jesus lived, the peace of God they possessed would guard their hearts and minds. Through the troubles and griefs of a broken world, the peace of God would be on duty, always watching, always vigilant, always prepared to protect.
In those moments in our lives when the storms are fierce, when the stress is great, when our weakness is clear, the peace of God is on duty. It’s right by our side, just as Jesus is.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, your peace stands guard over me always. Thank you. Amen.
Not long ago, a journalist by the name of Amy Paturel was driving to see her father. He was dying and did not have long to live. She stopped to gas up her car. She then promptly got back into her car and drove off—only to discover, too late, she had left the nozzle in her tank.
A neurologist by the name of Lisa Schulman describes a similar experience. Several months after her husband’s death, Lisa was running a simple errand but somehow got lost. In that moment, she could not remember where she was or how she got there. She had to use the GPS on her phone to find her way home.
Such is the power of grief.
Researchers have discovered that grief can have the same impact on the brain as blunt force trauma. Signals between your left and right hemisphere take unexpected routes. Your body releases a cocktail of chemicals that affects how you process information. In addition, the journey of grief has no shortcuts. As someone has said, “Grief is a desert that must be crossed on foot.”
Profound grief is, perhaps, one of the strongest reminders we have that you and I live in a shattered world; a world shattered by sin—yours and mine.
When God the Son entered our time and space, he experienced our grief first-hand. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,” Isaiah chapter 53 proclaims. But his whole purpose for stepping into our grief-stricken world was to see to it that grief would not have the last word. In our place, he lived a life of perfect holiness. As our substitute, he marched to the cross and paid our debt of sin in full. Then, to demonstrate his victory, he rose from death.
Does this mean that you and I will never experience grief? No, it does not. However, it does mean that as bitter as our tears of grief may be, such tears are temporary. We will taste them in this life alone. But the tears of joy are eternal. Because Jesus lives, the tears of joy we will taste forever.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, remind me that my tears of grief are temporary, and my tears of joy are eternal. Amen.
One of the greatest speeches in all of Shakespeare is the “Band of Brothers” speech from Henry V. The play is based on actual events.
Here’s the scene. It is the night before the English must wage a great battle with the French. The English Army is exhausted, hungry, and sick. The French Army is healthy, well-rested, and well-fed. In addition, the French outnumber the English by four-to-one. The body language in the English forces is clear. Their heads are down. Their shoulders slouch. Their hands are limp in despair.
But then along comes their mighty warrior-king, Henry V. To his men, he delivers such a rousing speech that, by the end, their body language has changed. Their heads are up. And their hands are no longer limp in despair. Rather, they raise their hands high. They are ready to fight the good fight. The next day, victory is theirs.
In Zephaniah chapter 3, the Word of God is speaking to the Lord’s people to a moment when their hands are hanging limp in despair. Do you ever feel that way—so haunted by your regrets that your hands feel limp, so troubled by things you cannot take back that you are dazed and paralyzed about the future?
“Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp,” God’s Word says. Then he tells us why. “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.” God has come. God the Son has arrived in the person of Jesus Christ. He has defeated the forces of evil on our behalf. He has lived a life of perfect goodness in our place. He has canceled the guilt of our sin through his suffering and death on the cross.
And now he lives. Through faith in him, you and I stand forgiven. We are his, and he is our King. He stands by our side. He is mighty to save. For this reason, we can move forward. We can fight the good fight of the faith. For in Jesus, the King, all is well.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are my King. You are by my side. Move me to march forward with you. Amen.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
