Sunday, December 12
Candle Lighting: Come, Lord Jesus.
Opening Prayer:
Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming that transformed by grace we may walk in your way.
Sunday, December 12 – Isaiah 35: 1-35, James 5: 7-10, Matthew 11: 2-11
Matthew 11:2-11
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’[b]
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Confined to Tegel prison in December, 1943, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote to afriend, “Life in a prison cell may well be compared to Advent; one waits,hopes and does this, that or the other – things that are of no consequence –the door is shut and can be opened only from the outside.”Such was John the Baptizer’s experience too, also imprisoned, waiting forsomething to happen, something he had boldly announced and vividlydescribed in fiery detail, and now was completely helpless to bring about. John knew what he was waiting for, someone who would clean house, take on the establishment, and empowered by the Holy Spirit and fire, would win.
Are we willing to leave behind the confines of false security to walk through that open door into true freedom? Two candles are already lit.
Lighting the third pushes back the darkness signifying that the dawn of the new day is imminent.
To Jesus Christ our Lord, the light of the world,
let us cry out with joy:
Come Lord Jesus!
Thanks to:The Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, ELCA and http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/112810.html.
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN
Called as God's People
Equipped by the Holy Spirit
Sent to boldly proclaim the love of Jesus Christ to all people.
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