The Third Sunday of Advent

OT: Isaiah 35:1-10
OTA: Isaiah 8:11-22
NT: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-15
NTA: Ephesians 4:1-16
CL: Matthew 11:1-19
GA: Matthew 24:36-51
PS: Psalm 146:1-10

December 13th

Collect of the Day:

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.

Theme for the Week          Look to the Christ

Verse of the Week:              Matthew 11:5

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon:  Isaiah 35:1-10           Tues:  Ephesians 4:1-16   Wed:  Matthew 11:1-19

Thurs:            1 Thessalonians 5:1-15   Fri:  Isaiah 8:1-10

Catechism Reading:

What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?

 These words,

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,"

shows us that in the Sacrament

forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation

are given us through these words.

For where there is forgiveness of sins,

there is also life and salvation.

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things,

but the words written here:

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins."

These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking,

are the main thing in the Sacrament.

Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say:

"forgiveness of sins."

Who receives this sacrament worthily?

 Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training.

But that person is truly worthy and well prepared

who has faith in these words:

"Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins."

But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them

is unworthy and unprepared,

for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe.

The Day of Epiphany

OT: Micah 5:1-5
OTA: Genesis 22:1-19
NT: Revelation 7:1-17
NTA: Romans 11:11-24
CL: Matthew 2:1-12
GA: Matthew 5:13-16
PS: Psalm 72:1-20

January 3rd

Collect of the Day:

O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles.  Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week          Light for the Nations

Verse of the Week:              Matthew 2:6

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon:  Micah 5:1-5    Tues:  Genesis 22:1-19     Wed:  Matthew 2:1-12

Thurs:            Revelation 7:1-17   Fri:  Luke 2:22-38

Catechism Reading:

The Second Petition

Thy kingdom come.

What does this mean?

The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer,

but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.

How does God's kingdom come?

God's kingdom comes

when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit,

so that by His grace we believe His holy Word

and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.

The Third Petition

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What does this mean?

The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer,

but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

How is God's will done?

God's will is done

when he breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose

of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature,

which do not want us to hallow God's name

or let His kingdom come;

and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith

until we die.

This is His good and gracious will.

First Sunday after Christmas

OT: Isaiah 63:7-14
OTA: Hosea 11:1-12:1
NT: Galatians 3:23-4:7
NTA: Ephesians 4:17-32
CL: Matthew 2:13-18
GA: Luke 2:22-38
PS: Psalm 106:24-48

December 27th

Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, the martyred innocents of Bethlehem showed forth Your praise not by speaking but by dying.  Put to death in us all that is in conflict with Your will that our lives may bear witness to the faith we profess with our lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week          Holy Innocents

Verse of the Week:              Matthew 1:23

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon:  Galatians 3:23-4:7    Tues:  Isaiah 63:7-14         Wed:  Matthew 2:13-18

Thurs:            2 John           Fri:  Matthew 1:1-17

Catechism Reading:

The Fourth Commandment

Honor your father and your mother.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we do not despise or anger our parents

and other authorities,

but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.

The Fifth Commandment

You shall not murder.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God

so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body,

but help and support him in every physical need.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

OT: Isaiah 11:1-11
OTA: Isaiah 40:1-8
NT: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
NTA: Acts 19:1-10
CL: Matthew 3:1-12
GA: Luke 18:1-8
PS: Psalm 109:6-20

December 20th

Collect of the Day:

Stir Up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Theme for the Week          John's Prophecy

Verse of the Week:              Matthew 3:2

Daily Bible Reading List:

Mon:  Isaiah 11:1-11           Tues:  Isaiah 40:18 Wed:  Matthew 3:1-12

Thurs:            1 Thessalonians 5:16-28 Fri:  Luke 18:1-8

Catechism Reading:

What is confession?

 Confession has two parts.

First, that we confess our sins,

and second, that we receive absolution,

that is, forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself,

not doubting, but firmly believing that by it our sins are forgiven

before God in heaven.

What sins should we confess?

 Before God we should plead guilty of all sins,

even those we are not aware of, as we do in the Lord's Prayer;

but before the pastor we should confess only those sins

which we know and feel in our hearts.

Which are these?

 Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments:

Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker?

Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy?

Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome?

Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds?

Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything,

or done any harm?