Advent Family Devotions for Friday, December 7, 2012

Someone Will Come

Opening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for coming at Christmas to be our Savior. Amen.

Scripture:
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  We bless you from the house of the Lord."
  Psalm 118.26

Meditation:
     What would you teach your children to do if they were lost in the woods?  That's a scary thought.  There are number of things that they should not do.  The United States Search and Rescue Task Force has a website that teaches children what they should do if they become lost in the woods.  One of the most important things they should do is to stay in one place.  They need to know that someone will come to them. Someone will find them.

     One of the most important truths of the Bible is that God comes to help and save His people. God came to Adam and Eve after they got lost in sin to talk to them, to lead them to repentance, and to forgive them. God came to Abraham when he was lost and wandering to give him a promise that He would bless him.  God came to Job when he was lost in pain and suffering to help and to heal him.

     When we feel like we are lost in this world, when we lose our way spiritually by turning away from God, we can be happy that God does not turn away from us.  He will come to us. He does come to us.  God sent His Son Jesus to save the entire world that was lost in sin.

     God came to us in our baptisms. He comes to us through His Word and in Holy Communion. Sometimes God comes to us through His helpers - our parents, teachers, pastors and friends.  When we feel a little lost, we can take be sure that someone will come. God will come.

For Discussion:
1. Talk about a time when you were lost.  How did you feel?
2. How were you found?  How did you feel about that?
3. As Christmas comes, how do we feel about God coming to us in Jesus?

Closing Prayer:
Dear God, if I ever get lost, help me to look to You, because I know You will help me. You sent Your Son to save me.  Amen.

Hymn: "I Am So Glad When Christmas Comes"

Click here for the melody.


I am so glad when Christmas comes,
The night of Jesus’ birth,
When Bethl’em’s star shone as the sun
And angels sang with mirth.

The little child of Bethlehem,
The King of heav’nly grace,
Came down from His exalted throne
To save our fallen race.

He’s now returned to heav’n above,
God’s Son He is alway;
He ne’er forgets His little ones
But hears them when they pray.

I too would sing my Savior’s praise,
My joy, my crown, my Lord;
For He has made me His own.

Advent Family Devotions Thursday, December 6, 2012

A Beautiful Bride

Prayer:  Holy God, thank You for sending Jesus to make us holy. Amen.

Scripture:  Revelation 21.1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Meditation:

     Brides are supposed to be beautiful... beautiful hair, beautiful make-up, and especially a beautiful dress! But what if the bride is ugly? What if she is dirty? What if her dress is torn? What if she is mean and disrespectful? What groom would want to marry her?

     Last night at our Advent service, Seminarian Martin Dressler talked about an ugly bride. But he wasn't talking about a particular woman. The Bible calls the church, the people of God, a "bride." This "bride" isn't very beautiful. She is sometimes mean. She sometimes ignores God and does as she pleases. Instead of loving God she sometimes loves the world. 

     This bride is not lovable, but God truly loves her. God sent His Son to marry her, to clean her and make her beautiful through His forgiveness. He loved her so much that He gave His life for her when He died on the cross. 

     Jesus rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven. But the Bible says that He is coming again. He's coming again to claim His bride and to take her to heaven. 

     When you feel guilty and ashamed because you haven't been a beautiful person in all your thoughts, words, and actions, remember that God still loves you and always wants to come to you and to make you beautiful again. 

Prayer:  God of love, help us to be Your beautiful bride in all of our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Hymn:  "Comfort, Comfort Ye My People"

Click here for the melody.

Comfort, comfort, ye My people,
Speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
Mourning 'neath their sorrows' load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell her that her sins I cover
And her warfare now is over.

Yea, her sins our God will pardon,
Blotting out each dark misdeed;
All that well deserved His anger
He no more will see or heed.
She hath suffered many a day,
Now her griefs have passed away;
God will change her pining sadness
Into ever-springing gladness.

Hark, the Herald's voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding all men to repentance
Since the Kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him.

Make ye straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits His holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token
That His Word is never broken.

Advent Family Devotions Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Royal Baby Watch

Opening Prayer:

Lord God, we know that Christmas is coming soon and we thank You for this exiting time of year. Help us to watch, wait and celebrate as Christ comes to us, in His name we pray, Amen.

Bible Reading:  Zechariah 9.9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

righteous and having salvation is he,

humble and mounted on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

     A little over one year ago much of the world watched as Prince William married Kate Middleton. It was announced today that Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is now 86 years old. At her death, or if she desires to step down, her son Prince Charles is in line to become King. Many suspect that Charles will never serve as king due to his divorce and subsequent second marriage. This puts Prince William, the son of Charles and Dianna as the virtual next in line for the throne. After his reign as King ends the first born child of William and Kate will ascend to the throne. Recent changes to English law have removed the preference of male heirs, so when Kate and William have a child, that child will one day be the king or queen of England. So, the royal baby watch is on. The world watched and waited when Princess Dianna gave birth to William, and the world is watching and waiting for William and Kate to have their first child.

     Watching and waiting are important themes in the Advent season. The word advent comes from the Latin and means to come, or to come near, and perhaps more to the point he comes or he is coming. In advent we watch and wait for Jesus to come. Much of our preparation focuses on our celebration of His first coming as a babe in Bethlehem just over 2000 years ago. Children especially are watching and waiting for Christmas to come. Many of the Scripture readings during this season urge us to watch and wait for Christ to come again as judge and king. Pastors, Lutheran school teachers, and these devotions encourage us to watch, wait and celebrate how Christ comes to us now in God’s Word and in with and under the water of Holy Baptism and the bread and wine of Holy Communion.

     In Advent, at Christmas, and at all times Jesus comes to us and He will come again at the last day. Long ago Zechariah prophesied His coming to bring salvation through His own perfect righteousness. And unlike the royals of our day, or even of Jesus’ day, He comes humbly - riding on a donkey. The fulfillment of this prophesy on Palm Sunday reminds us that this king whose birth we prepare to celebrate had only one crown – a crown of thorns.  Jesus came to die for our sins. His gift of forgiveness inspires our giving and His humble service is a model for our living.

For Discussion:

1.  Roman officials and other leaders rode horses or were ushered in by chariots. How does Jesus riding on a donkey reflect on what kind of king He is?

2.  What are some things you can do to serve others, especially in this festive season?

3.  Many families pray “Come Lord Jesus be our guest, “ as their pre-meal prayer. What do we mean when we pray this and what difference does it make when we invite Jesus to dinner?

Prayer:

Come Lord Jesus be with us as we prepare to celebrate your birth and as we look forward to Your coming again as judge and king. Help us to keep You as the center of our Christmas and use us to help others know the reason for the season. In your holy name we pray, Amen.

Hymn: "Come, O Long-Expected Jesus"

Click here for melody.

Come, O long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Your people free;
From our fears and sins release us
By Your death on Calvary.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope to all the earth impart,
Dear desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born Your people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Your gracious kingdom bring.
By Your own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Your all sufficient merit
Raise us to Your glorious throne.

Submitted by James F. Ritter

Advent Family Devotions, Tuesday, December 4th

The Branch of David

Opening Prayer:
Dear God, sometimes is seems that everything is going in a bad way. People say and do bad things. Help us when people say and do bad things to us. Help us when we say and do bad things to others.

Scripture:
Jeremiah 33.14-16 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.  In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness. ’

Meditation:
A man once cut down a tree in his yard that he didn't like.  For many trees this would have meant the end. No more tree.  But not this particular tree.  It was a Sweet Gum tree.  The Sweet Gum tree is a very hardy tree.  Even though the tree was cut down and taken away it just wouldn't die. It's roots continued to live and continued to send up branches, new little trees to take the place of the old tree.

The Sweet Gum tree reminds me of God's promises. A long time ago the prophet Jeremiah told everyone that you can't get rid of God's promises of salvation.  Bad people have tried to get rid of them. They have tried to cut down and destroy His words of Law and Gospel.  But it just won't work.

Jeremiah said that God would raise up a "Branch" of David. He was talking about Jesus. That's why people in the Bible called Jesus "Son of David." People were wondering whether God would keep His promises. They wondered why there were so many bad things in this world. Then God sent Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, the City of David.

Jesus grew up. He loved God's word. He taught people about the righteousness of God, that is, He taught them how to live in the right way. But even more than that Jesus came to be our righteousness. He came to give us the forgiveness of our sins by taking the punishment for sin Himself. That is why He died on the cross. But Jesus rose again and showed us that God overcomes all sin and death.

For Discussion:
1. What does it mean to be righteous? (To do what is right)
2. Are all the people of the world righteous? Are we always righteous? (No, No)
3. How did Jesus show that He was righteous? (Never sinned)
4. How did Jesus give His righteousness to us?  (Dying on the cross for us and forgiving us)
5. Is there hope for righteousness?  (Yes, in Jesus)

Closing Prayer:
Thank You Jesus for coming to be our righteousness. Thank You for not giving up. Thank You for forgiving us when we do wrong. Thank You for helping us to be righteous people.  Amen.

Hymn:
"Behold a Branch is Growing"

Click here for melody.


1 Behold, a Branch is growing
Of loveliest form and grace,
As prophets sung, foreknowing;
It springs from Jesse’s race
And bears one little Flow’r
In midst of coldest winter
At deepest midnight hour.

2 Isaiah hath foretold It
In words of promise sure,
And Mary’s arms enfold It,
A virgin meek and pure.
Thro’ God’s eternal will
This Child to her is given
At midnight calm and still.

3 The shepherds heard the story,
Proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of Glory,
Was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
And in the manger found Him,
As angel heralds said.

4 This Flow’r whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness ev’rywhere.
True Man, yet very God;
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens ev’ry load.

Advent Family Devotions for Monday, December 3, 2012

The Emperor Trajan Arriving (Adventus)

Opening Prayer:  
Dear Lord, thank You for this day and for coming to us as our King. Amen.

Scripture:  Luke 19.28-40
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it? ’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it. ’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives— the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Meditation:  
A long time ago Roman rulers would come to cities in their empire.  When the city officials learned the ruler was coming they wouldn't just wait in the city for him to arrive.  They would go outside the city with a crowd of people and meet the ruler as he was approaching. They would then escort the ruler to the city where he would be greeted by more crowds of cheering people.  The Latin name for this event was "adventus."  

In our Scripture lesson today we see that something like that happened to Jesus.  Crowds of people met Him and accompanied Him to the city of Jerusalem.  They cut down palm branches and even threw their coats on the road in front of Him.  They were very happy to see Him.  

But Jesus didn't come like one of those rulers.  He had no army, and He rode no horse.  Jesus came or made His "advent"  in humility. Just as Jesus was came into this world among the farm animals at Bethlehem, so He would approach the end of His earthly life with a farm animal nearby - a donkey.  

Jesus wasn't just another great earthly ruler.  He was God's Son, who lowered Himself to come into our world in order to lift us up to His.

For Discussion: 
How do we get ready in our homes when special people come to visit?  How can we get ready to celebrate Christmas and Jesus' special visit?  

Closing Prayer:  

Dear Jesus, Thank You for coming to save us. Thank You for being a king like no other. Although You are the highest, You became the lowest for us.  Amen.

Hymn:  In a Little Stable

Click here for the melody.

1. In a little stable
Far across the sea
Was a little Baby
Just like you and me.

2. A bed or cradle,
Not a pillow deep,
But a lowly manger
Was His place to sleep.

3. Shepherds stood around Him,
Angels watched with care,
For this Babe was Jesus,
Lying, smiling there.

4. Oh, I love this Jesus,
Who was little then.
For He surely loves me,
Little though I am.

Family Advent Devotions - Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Advent Wreath

Consider choosing a different family member to to read each part.

Opening Prayer:  Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be our Savior.  Send Him now and everyday to our hearts and help us to be ready for His coming again on the last day. Amen.

Bible Passage:  Psalm 89:14-16  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.  Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.  In Your name they rejoice all day long, And in Your righteousness they are exalted. 

Meditation:  Perhaps you picked up an Advent Table Tent at one of our worship services.  You'll notice that there are five candles pictured on each side.  If you put a little candle in the middle, you can see that on each side a candle is "lit" until all four are lit on the Sunday before Christmas.  

About two hundred years ago in Germany a pastor thought of the idea of an Advent wreath. He had a mission school for poor children, and the children would often ask, "How many days until Christmas?"  The pastor put candles on a wagon wheel and lit the candles every day to show the children how close it was to Christmas.  

I think there are two reasons why children love Christmas so much.  One is that we get to give and get gifts.  Have you started talking about your Christmas lists?  The other is that Christmas isn't really an "adult" celebration.  It's a celebration about a baby.  Are there any other celebrations on our calendar like that?  

What a special baby He was!  Our Bible passage today mentions "righteousness," "justice," "mercy," and "truth."  People knew all these things came from God.  But when Jesus came into our world, everyone saw that this really was God's Son because He brought all these things to us!  Sin makes us sad.  We hurt ourselves and others when we do bad things. But righteousness and mercy make us joyful.  Righteousness is when we do the right thing, and mercy is when God still loves us even though we don't always do the right thing.  God wants to take us away from all the bad things of this world, and that is why He sent us His perfect Son - the baby Jesus. 

For Discussion:  What are some of the bad things in this world that make people sad?  What are some of the good things Jesus did to make people joyful?  How does Jesus still help us to be joyful?

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing everything that is good into this world and into our hearts.  Thank You for teaching us what is right and for forgiving us when we sometimes do what is wrong.  Help us everyday to live in Your light.  Amen.  

Hymn:  "The Advent of Our King"

by Charles Coffin, 1676-1749
Translated by John Chandler, 1806-1876

Click here for the melody.

1. The advent of our King
Our prayers must now employ,
And we must hymns of welcome sing
In strains of holy joy.

2. The everlasting Son
Incarnate deigns to be;
Himself a servant's form puts on
To set His servants free.

3. O Zion's Daughter, rise
To meet thy lowly King,
Nor let thy faithless heart despise
The peace He comes to bring.

4. As Judge, on clouds of light,
He soon will come again
And His true members all unite
With Him in heaven to reign.

5. Before the dawning day
Let sin's dark deeds be gone,
The old man all be put away,
The new man all put on.

6. All glory to the Son,
Who comes to set us free,
With Father, Spirit, ever One,
Through all eternity.

Budded on Earth to Bloom in Heaven

     When my family went to Idaho this summer, we visited one of the Nez Perces Indian Reservations.  On this reservation there is a cemetery with graves of both Indians and missionaries.  I found an inscription on one of the grave-stones that really impressed me.  Alvina Moore lived only six years on this earth from 1914 to 1920.  Her grave is marked with a stone that has a lamb and below that her name, the name of her parents, and then this beautiful little phrase:  “Budded on earth to bloom in heaven.”  What a beautiful way to look at life!  This is a good life that God has given us no matter how long or short it is.  It is a good life because in Christ it is never just a faded or fading flower, but rather a flower that will live on forever in heaven.  Embrace it with faith, thanksgiving, wisdom and joy in Jesus.  Live it for God’s purposes of salvation and for His eternal glory.  

     From the sermon "Are You Ready?" 2 Timothy 4.6-8

     All Saints Celebration, November 4, 2012