Christmas Day, 2012, Emmanuel God Among Us

Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. Is. 9


“Do not be afraid;11-1
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” Luke 2

Let us celebrate Christmas tonight with abandon.
Let us be drawn into its wonder and joy.
Let us pray for the gift of peace.


Timothy 2: 11-14
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.

May your Christmas Celebration be especially blessed with the revelation of God among you.

Advent Devotions, Monday, Dec. 24, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Christmas Eve, 2012

Luke 2:15-20

15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.


In this passage, we have two different --- but appropriate --- responses to Jesus. Mary pondered; the shepherds proclaimed. Tonight, you will have a chance to come and worship, to hear this story yet again, and ponder its meaning for your life. Tomorrow, and in the days to come, you will have the chance to proclaim the glorious news of Jesus as Savior. Ask God to give you the courage to do so.

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. Christmas Eve Services to be held at 5:00 and 11:00 pm.

Advent Devotions, Sunday, Dec. 23rd, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Luke 2:8-14

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,[b] praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

This part of Luke’s Christmas story focuses on two groups --- shepherds and angels. Angels were God’s special messengers, sent from heaven to declare God’s good news of Jesus’ birth. Shepherds were unclean (physically and religiously) and considered untrustworthy. Consider this day how in the coming of Jesus --- heaven and earth, holy and unclean, human and divine, were brought together.

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. Christmas Eve Services to be held at 5:00 and 11:00 pm.

Advent Devotions, Saturday, Dec. 22, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Luke 2:1-7

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The story of Jesus’ birth, as recorded in Luke’s Gospel, is so well-known, we can easily assume there is nothing new to hear. Challenge that assumption. Read or re-read these first seven verses of Luke 2. Ask God to reveal something new to you in your reading, and then consider what that means in your life.

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. Christmas Eve Services to be held at 5:00 and 11:00 pm.

Advent Devotions, Dec. 21, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Isaiah 9:2-7

2 [a] The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah says that the child born will be called “Prince of Peace,” and that through him “there shall be endless peace.” Sadly, we were reminded again this past week that evil and violence remain, and that peace is at best a temporary condition. What peace did Jesus bring into the world? In what ways can you, as his follower, bring peace to others?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. Christmas Eve Services to be held at 5:00 and 11:00 pm.

Advent Devotions, Thursday, Dec. 20th, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, Tn

Luke 1:46-55

Mary’s Song of Praise

46 And Mary[a] said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

There is a strong theme of “reversals” in Mary’s song. On the one hand, God “scattered the proud” and “brought down the powerful.” On the other hand, God “lifted up the lowly” and “filled the hungry with good things.” Has this happened yet, or is this still a future prophecy, one not yet fulfilled? What is the role of the Church in lifting up the lowly and filling the hungry with good things?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm.This Thursday will be a Hymn Sing - come and join us ALL are welcome.

Advent Devotions, Wed. Dec. 19th, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Elizabeth said to Mary: “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” (Luke 1:45) The reference is that Mary was able to believe that she was indeed going to give birth to a child who was the Son of God. Clearly, this was quite unbelievable news, and yet Mary did in fact trust God’s Word. On a scale of one to ten (with ten being the highest), how trusting of God’s promises are you? How do you think you might learn to increase your “trust quotient”?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm.This Thursday will be a Hymn Sing - come and join us ALL are welcome.

Advent Devotions, Dec. 18th. Tuesday, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Hebrews 10:5-10

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”[a]
8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.


The Hebrew people were commanded by God to make various offerings (e.g. burnt offerings, sin offerings, grain offerings). Because Jesus offered his life for our sins, making the ultimate sacrifice, we no longer need to make those offerings commanded in the Old Testament. Instead, we are invited to give ourselves to God. In what ways can you --- or do you --- offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm.This Thursday will be a Hymn Sing - come and join us ALL are welcome.

Advent Devotions, Monday, Dec. 17th, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Micah 5:2-5
New International Version (NIV)
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans[a] 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.”
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
4 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.
5 And he will be our peace
when the Assyrians invade our land
and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds,
even eight commanders,


About six miles away from the “little town of Bethlehem” was the powerful, important city of Jerusalem. With the Temple, it was the center of Israel’s religious life and the seemingly logical place for the Jewish Messiah to be born. However, as we know, God chose Bethlehem as Jesus’ birthplace. Why do you think God makes it a habit of doing what seems illogical to humans when carrying out his plan on earth?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm.

Advent Devotions, Sunday, Dec. 16th, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Luke 3:15-18

15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,[a] 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

One thing you notice about John is his humility. People wondered whether he might be the Messiah, and John squelched those rumors. He understood his role as the one who prepared the way for Jesus. Would people describe you as a “humble” person? How does humility help us to be faithful ambassadors for Christ?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm.

Advent Devotions,Saturday, Dec. 15, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Luke 3:7-14

7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

What does it look like for you to “bear fruits worthy of repentance?” Are there ways you can implement some of the advice John gave to the people as to what they might do to bear good fruit?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm, we participate in the Holden Evening Prayer Worship Service.

Advent Devotions, Dec.14th, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

What is this “peace of God” that Paul talks about in these verses? Can you recall a time when you experienced it in your life?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.


We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm, we participate in the Holden Evening Prayer Worship Service.

Advent Devotions, Dec. 13th, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Philippians 4:4-5

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."

Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, but that seems unrealistic. Into all of our lives come situations when rejoicing in the Lord seems far from our minds. Is Paul’s command here practical, or is it simply religious “pie-in-the-sky” thinking? Can knowing that “the Lord is near” help you to be joyful on a regular basis?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.

We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm, we participate in the Holden Evening Prayer Worship Service.

Advent Devotions, Dec. 12th, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Isaiah 12:2-6

2 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid,
for the Lord God[a] is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord,
call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be known[b] in all the earth.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal[c] Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah declares: “Surely God is my salvation, I will trust, and will not be afraid.” What things in your life cause you fear? How can remembering that God is your salvation help you in the midst of such times?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.

Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.

We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm, we participate in the Holden Evening Prayer Worship Service.

Advent Devotions Tuesday, Dec. 11th, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Zephaniah 3: 17-20

The Lord, your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors at that time.
And I will save the land and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the people of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.

Zephaniah makes a remarkable proclamation.  God will rejoice over the people with gladness.  God will renew them in his love.  God will exult over them with loud singing.  The very things we would expect to do in God’s presence, Zephaniah declares God does in our midst.  What does it mean to you to think that God rejoices over us, renews us in his love, and exults over us with loud singing?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions. 

 Learn more about us at our Facebook page:  http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at www.joinusinworship.com.

We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm, we participate in the Holden Evening Prayer Worship Service.

Advent Devotions, Monday, Dec. 10th Our Savior Lutheran Church,Gatlinburg, TN

Zephaniah 3:14-16

Sing aloud, oh daughter Zion, shout O Israel!
Rejoice and Exult with all your heart O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken his judgements against you, he has turned away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem,
Do not fear O Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.

The prophet Zephaniah exhorts the people of Israel to “sing aloud” and “rejoice and exult with all your heart” because of what the Lord has done for them.  Christmas is a time when we are inclined to sing songs of praise to God.  Which Christmas carols speak most powerfully to you about what God has done for us in sending his Son?  Take time today to meditate on some of those lyrics.

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions. 

 Learn more about us at our Facebook page:  http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at : www.joinusinworship.com.

We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm, we participate in the Holden Evening Prayer Worship Service.

Advent Devotions Sunday, Dec. 9th Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Luke 3:4-6

As it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

"the voice of the one crying out in the wilderness:

'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

John's ministry focused on one main aspect - preparing the way of the Lord.  A big part of Christmas for us remains "preparation."  We spend a month (or longer) getting things ready for that special day.  In what way do you use this time preparing for Christ?  What one thing might you add to your schedule to better prepare yourself for the coming of Christ?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.  Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at : www.joinusinworship.com.

We worship every Sunday at 10:30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am. We hold evening worship on Thursdays in December with dinner at 5:30 pm and worship at 6:30 pm, we participate in the Holden Evening Prayer Worship Service.

Sunday, Dec. 9th will be a special Gala dinner and Cantata presentation at 1:30. All are welcome to attend.

Advent Devotions Saturday, Dec. 8th Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Luke 3:1-3

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler^[a] of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler^[b] of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler^[c] of Abilene, ² during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³ He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

In the same sentence in which Luke mentions the name of the Roman Emperor (Tiberius) as well as other political and religious leaders of that time, he mentions the name John the Baptist.  On the surface, John would seem to be insignificant compared to these men of position and power.  However, in the kingdom God was ushering into the world, John would play a major role.  What other individuals --- past and present --- would have gone unnoticed but for the special calling they were given by God?  What role in the kingdom of God has God entrusted to you?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.  Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at : www.joinusinworship.com

We worship every Sunday at 10 :30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am.  Throughout the Advent Season we welcome you to Thursday evening services.  We hold a supper welcome to all at 5:30 and worship at 6:30.

Our church will be performing a Christmas Music Program at 1:30 on Sunday, December 9th all are welcome to attend!

O Come  O Come Emmanuel!

Advent Devotions Friday, Dec. 7th Our Savior Lutheran Church Gatlinburg, TN

Luke 1:68-79

⁶⁸ “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a mighty savior^[a] for us
    in the house of his servant David,
⁷⁰ as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
⁷¹     that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
⁷² Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
    and has remembered his holy covenant,
⁷³ the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
    to grant us ⁷⁴ that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, ⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness
    before him all our days.
⁷⁶ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
⁷⁷ to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    by the forgiveness of their sins.
⁷⁸ By the tender mercy of our God,
    the dawn from on high will break upon^[b] us,
⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

One role both John and Jesus shared was to shine the light of God’s truth to help those who lived in darkness.  In what ways does the Christian Church continue to do that today?  Is there someone you know who lives in darkness?  How might you help them to see God’s light?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.  Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at : www.joinusinworship.com

We worship every Sunday at 10 :30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am.  Throughout the Advent Season we welcome you to Thursday evening services.  We hold a supper welcome to all at 5:30 and worship at 6:30.

Our church will be performing a Christmas Music Program at 1:30 on Sunday, December 9th all are welcome to attend!

O Come  O Come Emmanuel!

Advent Devotions Thursday, Dec. 6th Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

Philippians 1:3-11

Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians

³ I thank my God every time I remember you, ⁴ constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you,⁵ because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart,^[a] for all of you share in God’s grace^[b] with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight ¹⁰ to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, ¹¹ having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Paul prayed that the Philippians love would “overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight” to help them determine what is best for them.  What do you pray God does in your life?  Is it more spiritual in nature --- or more earthly?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.  Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at : www.joinusinworship.com

We worship every Sunday at 10 :30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am.  Throughout the Advent Season we welcome you to Thursday evening services.  We hold a supper welcome to all at 5:30 and worship at 6:30.

Our church will be performing a Christmas Music Program at 1:30 on Sunday, December 9th all are welcome to attend!

O Come  O Come Emmanuel!

Advent DevotionsWednesday, Dec, 5th, Our Savior Lutheran Church Gatlinburg, TN

Malachi 3: 1-4

The Coming Messenger

"See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ² But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; ³ he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.^[a] 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years."

A refiner’s fire and fuller’s soap serve a similar purpose --- to remove impurities.  In what ways does God remove your impurities?  In what ways can it be a painful process?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions.  Learn more about us at our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit us online at : www.joinusinworship.com

We worship every Sunday at 10 :30 am with Sunday School at 9:15 am.  Throughout the Advent Season we welcome you to Thursday evening services.  We hold a supper welcome to all at 5:30 and worship at 6:30.

Our church will be performing a Christmas Music Program at 1:30 on Sunday, December 9th all are welcome to attend!

O Come  O Come Emmanuel!

Advent Devotions Tuesday, Dec. 4 Our Savior Lutheran Church Gatlinburg, TN

Luke 21:25-36

The Coming of the Son of Man

25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Exhortation to Watch

34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

How do you remain “on guard” for Christ’s return? Do you live with any expectation that it might occur during your lifetime? Should you?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions. Learn more about us at our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit our website at www.joinusinworship.com.

O Come O Come Emmanuel!

Advent Devotions Monday, Dec. 3 Our Savior Lutheran Church, Gatlinburg, TN

1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13

9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

What do you think Paul means when he prays that God will “strengthen your hearts in holiness”? What do you understand “holiness” to be? How do you become “holier” in ways that are pleasing to God?

Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions. Learn more about us at our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit our website at www.joinusinworship.com.

O Come O Come Emmanuel!

Advent Devotions 2012 Sunday, Dec. 2 Our Savior Lutheran Church Gatlinburg, TN

Jeremiah 33: 14-16

The Righteous Branch and the Covenant with David

14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 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. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”


Jeremiah reminds us that our “righteousness” is not something we attain by our works. “The Lord is our righteousness.” What does it mean to you that no matter what you do, you cannot make yourself right with God? What does it mean to you that God alone has made you right with him through Jesus?


Thank you to Pastor Jim Kroninger of Our Savior Lutheran Church for providing the content for the devotions. Learn more about us at our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/oslc.gatlinburg

Visit our website at www.joinusinworship.com.

O Come O Come Emmanuel!