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December 10, 2025 – Mid-Week Advent 2 2025    Texts:  Isaiah 9:1-2,6-7;

2 Corinthians 4:3-6; John 1:1-9

Dear Friends in Christ,

            The property board of a church wanted to improve the property.  They voted to add a chandelier.  One member frowned at the idea saying, “I am against for three reasons.  First, nobody in this church can spell chandelier.  Second, nobody in this church knows how to play it.  And third, what we need above all else in this church is more light!”

            We need more light.  Not visible light per se, but more spiritual light.  We need the light that Christ brings into the darkness of our sinful world and sinful lives.  We need His light to guide us in the path of righteousness.  Blessedly, in His advent, Jesus has come to bring us that much-needed light.  Seeing Christ in the Christmas decorations . . .

“LIGHTS”

            Light are everywhere this time of the year.  Our homes have extra lights.  Communities string lights on streets and poles.  Business and shopping centers decorate with more illumination.  We even have a “Festival of Lights” in our area.

            Our sanctuary is adorned with more lights.  Five candles on the advent wreath that gets brighter and brighter as we approach Christmas.  The lights on the tree and hanging off the church balcony.  The light in the creche.

            Why decorate like this?  Sentimental value?  Or is there a deeper significance?  Last week we learned about the beginning of Christmas trees in Germany in the Middle Ages.  By the 1500’s they were attaching candles to the trees.  First with pins, then by holders, then by lanterns.  These lights reminded Christians of the lights that accompanied Christ’s birth – the Bethlehem star and the angels who lit up the night sky with the glory of the Lord.  They reminded people that Christ is the light of the world.

                        Eventually, this practice came to America.  As lights became more affordable, lights started to become commonplace in 1950’s America.  Today 150 million sets of holiday lights are sold lighting over 80 million homes.  According to statistics in December of 2015 the USA produced more electricity in one month than the country of El Salvador used the entire year.

            Christmas lights are beautiful.  I love to just sit at home with only the Christmas lights on and relax.  But for the Christian it goes deeper than that.  Our sin represents darkness.  We can ignore the light, turn our back on the light or just plow ahead with our dark thoughts and deeds.  But God promised to break this march into the abyss.  Isaiah foretold it, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” (Is. 9:2). The light breaking came in the form of a birth, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” (Is. 9:6)

            Jesus’s birth was signaled by the light of the special star that guided the Wise Men.  John doesn’t write about the birth of Jesus, but he writes about the impact of that blessed event.  “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9). When Jesus became an adult He announced, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

            By grace through faith.  Once in darkness we now receive Christ’s light of righteousness and glory.  The apostle Paul declared, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6)

            The lights also point to the second coming of Christ.  Jesus’ return will inaugurate a new creation in which the darkness of sin ends, and the light of righteousness endures forever.  We who are made righteous through faith in Christ will abide in that eternal righteous realm.

            On Christmas Eve, many churches like Good Shepherd hold a candlelight service.  The flame that night is spread from the Christ candle to the Pastor’s candle to the ushers’ candle to your candle.  This signifies that the coming of Christ brings the light of righteousness to all who believe.  So, every time you see the lights of Advent and Christmas emanating, remember the message:  Jesus has come and will come again to bring you the light of forgiveness and glory.

                                                            Amen.      

December 3, 2025 – Mid-Week Advent              Texts:  Hosea 14:4-8, John 11:17-27

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Do you know a Christmas tree once caused a scandal and in a Lutheran Church no less.  It happened on Christmas Eve 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Pastor Heinrich Schwan, the 3^rd president of the LCMS, erected an evergreen tree in the church sanctuary, attached candles to it and placed a silver star on top.

            This tree was so revolutionary that the one newspaper called it nonsensical and asinine.  Some in Cleveland accused Pastor Schwan of heathen and idolatrous practices.  They maintained the tree was a pagan symbol.

            But the members loved the tree.  For these German immigrants it brought back memories of their homeland.  Still, it caused controversy.  So, Pastor Schwan did some research and was convinced they were a godly custom that celebrated the Savior’s birth.  He wrote letter to the papers and to people who objected making the case for the tree.

            The next Christmas, 1852, he erected a Christmas tree as did many of his members.  Even people not members of the church adopted the practice.  Within a decade, Christmas trees appeared in churches and homes across America.

            Indeed, the Christmas tree has become the universal symbol of the Christmas season in all cultures.  In our sanctuary we have a tree and wreaths and garland.  They point us to spiritual truths.  What is the significance?  That is what we will answer in our midweek Advent sermon series, “Every Heart Prepare:  Seeing Christ in the Holiday Decorations.”  Tonight then . . .

“EVERGREENS”

            Historians tell us these decorations were first used in Europe during medieval times.  The Christmas tree appeared in Northern Europe around 1000.  By 1400, most Germans had trees in their homes.  Around this same time green holly and ivy appeared in England during Advent and Christmas.  This presented the hope of life in the dead of winter.

            Green is the symbol of life.  In cold climates, many plants lose their green in winter and appear lifeless.  But evergreen plants such as fir, pine, and holly trees retain green leaves in the winter.  They have become a symbol of life when other plants appear dead.

            Moreover, evergreens are a symbol of eternal life.  This is because they are ever green.  They prevail over death, even in the dead of winter.  This is why people have decorated their homes with evergreens.  It is a reminder of the gift of eternal life that Jesus’ advent offers.

            Christ’s first coming was to restore eternal life that had been lost when Adam and Eve sinned.  They had access to the tree of life, but they forfeited it when they sinned.  Thorns infested the ground as a symbol of the curse of death.

            Jesus, the Second Adam, came to restore life that was lost in humanity’s fall.  In his advent two thousand years ago, God the Son came as a human being to give His life so that we sinners might receive eternal life.  The evergreen holly branch is associated with Christ’s death because its thorny leaves remind us of the crown of thorns He wore on the cross.  Its red berries remind us of the drops of blood that fell from His head.  His death destroyed death, and His resurrection restored life.  Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)

            God the Holy Spirit indwells us and empowers us with His life.  He compares Himself to an evergreen tree in Hosea 14:8:  “I am like an evergreen cypress; from Me comes your fruit.”  God is our never-failing source of life and fruitfulness.

            So, look around at the evergreen decorations that were lovingly put up this past Sunday by members of Good Shepherd.  They convey the message of eternal life.  That is what Advent and Christmas are all about:  the eternal life Jesus won for us at His first coming, which we will experience fully at His second coming.  Every time you look at the evergreen decorations be reminded of this – Jesus has come and will come again to give you everlasting life.

                                    Amen.      

December 7, 2025                                                  Text:  Hebrews 5:5-10

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Have you ever won a blue ribbon?  God blessed me with speed, so I collected quite a few in track and field during my elementary and junior high days.  The boys have quite a collection in their rooms as well.  Safe to say all of ours are sports related.  But maybe you received one for academics or music or that Baked Alaska you presented at the county fair.  It feels good to use God-given talent to accomplish something.

            What about Jesus?  Could we say He has won top honors with a blue ribbon?  It would take a long time to list all the things Jesus did that could receive a blue ribbon, but Scripture boasts of at least one:  “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb. 5:6)

            This a.m. our Sunday morning theme of “Advent Blues” continues with . . .

“BLUE RIBBON:  JESUS AS PRIEST”

            There could be no loftier award.  Melchizedek was the most highly regarded priest of the Old Testament.  His family became the Levitical priesthood.  Melchizedek was both priest and king of Salem, Jerusalem’s old name.  He met the founding father of Judaism, Abraham with bread and wine following Abrahm’s rescue of his nephew Lot from the four kings.  This blue ribbon of priesthood is the most distinctive kind – ancient and honorable – like the formal blue sash nobles wear to signify a high honor.

            For us today we cannot see how being compared to Melchizedek has importance.  As it has been taught in Junior Confirmation over the years, I am not sure it has been fully understood.  The key thought is that Jesus is not just another prophet.  He is truly a high priest of the loftiest kind.  A blue-ribbon leader.

            The author of Hebrews sees Jesus as both priest and sacrifice.  He is Lord of Lords and King of kings.  Jesus is God in his redemptive role as healer and guide.

            That understanding, however, must stretch beyond the academic to reach the personal.  While knowing Jesus as a blue-ribbon priest like Melchizedek is vital knowledge, it is knowing him personally, knowing his sacrifice, that makes Him a life-giving friend rather than an austere champion or celestial celebrity.  Jesus is our priest, who ministers to us with his sacrifice, as well as his sacraments.  He ministers as a priest should – to heal the body as well as the soul.

            Look at what Jesus did.  He healed the sick and raised the dead.  The blind saw; lepers were cleansed; the bedridden walked; the mentally deranged made sane.  Jesus could not ignore these afflictions.  He does the same for us.  We are afflicted with sin, diseased with bad behavior and sometimes a little mentally unhinged.  The devil wants to use this to divide us from God, separate us from our Creator, and claim us as his own.  Jesus came to make us whole.  He doesn’t want to see shattered lives.  He wants to see us complete.  He preached not only to hearts and minds but to withered limbs and sickened organs.  His touch healed.  His Word cured.  His ointments of saliva and dirt were a prescription for wholeness.

            Let Jesus be your Melchizedek to bring you bread and wine as the original one did for Abraham, to forgive your sin so that you may experience healing of the body as well as healing of the soul and soundness of the mind.  Holy Communion is a healing gift that Christ, our great High Priest, has given to us.  Do not fail to celebrate it, not for the ceremony, the sip of wine and taste of bread, but for the assured forgiveness Jesus shares with his body and blood communicated in that gift.  It is his way of making us whole with him.

            As our priest, Jesus also offers up prayers for us.  Martin Luther wrote, “along with, and beyond, His sacrifice Christ prayed to God the Father in our behalf.  Isaiah 53:12 speaks of this function, ‘He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.’..He continues to exercise this office as our Mediator and Advocate before God.”

            I, and many of you are not for participation blue ribbons.  A blue ribbon should be earned.  But in the salvation story, we pray that our Advocate and Priest Jesus who earned it for us, will grant to all who believe the ultimate winning ribbon – the salvation of their soul.

                                                                                                                                                Amen.       

December 3, 2025 – Mid-Week Advent                       Texts:  Hosea 14:4-8, John 11:17-27

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Do you know a Christmas tree once caused a scandal and in a Lutheran Church no less.  It happened on Christmas Eve 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Pastor Heinrich Schwan, the 3^rd president of the LCMS, erected an evergreen tree in the church sanctuary, attached candles to it and placed a silver star on top.

            This tree was so revolutionary that the one newspaper called it nonsensical and asinine.  Some in Cleveland accused Pastor Schwan of heathen and idolatrous practices.  They maintained the tree was a pagan symbol.

            But the members loved the tree.  For these German immigrants it brought back memories of their homeland.  Still, it caused controversy.  So, Pastor Schwan did some research and was convinced they were a godly custom that celebrated the Savior’s birth.  He wrote letter to the papers and to people who objected making the case for the tree.

            The next Christmas, 1852, he erected a Christmas tree as did many of his members.  Even people not members of the church adopted the practice.  Within a decade, Christmas trees appeared in churches and homes across America.

            Indeed, the Christmas tree has become the universal symbol of the Christmas season in all cultures.  In our sanctuary we have a tree and wreaths and garland.  They point us to spiritual truths.  What is the significance?  That is what we will answer in our midweek Advent sermon series, “Every Heart Prepare:  Seeing Christ in the Holiday Decorations.”  Tonight then . . .

“EVERGREENS”

            Historians tell us these decorations were first used in Europe during medieval times.  The Christmas tree appeared in Northern Europe around 1000.  By 1400, most Germans had trees in their homes.  Around this same time green holly and ivy appeared in England during Advent and Christmas.  This presented the hope of life in the dead of winter.

            Green is the symbol of life.  In cold climates, many plants lose their green in winter and appear lifeless.  But evergreen plants such as fir, pine, and holly trees retain green leaves in the winter.  They have become a symbol of life when other plants appear dead.

            Moreover, evergreens are a symbol of eternal life.  This is because they are ever green.  They prevail over death, even in the dead of winter.  This is why people have decorated their homes with evergreens.  It is a reminder of the gift of eternal life that Jesus’ advent offers.

            Christ’s first coming was to restore eternal life that had been lost when Adam and Eve sinned.  They had access to the tree of life, but they forfeited it when they sinned.  Thorns infested the ground as a symbol of the curse of death.

            Jesus, the Second Adam, came to restore life that was lost in humanity’s fall.  In his advent two thousand years ago, God the Son came as a human being to give His life so that we sinners might receive eternal life.  The evergreen holly branch is associated with Christ’s death because its thorny leaves remind us of the crown of thorns He wore on the cross.  Its red berries remind us of the drops of blood that fell from His head.  His death destroyed death, and His resurrection restored life.  Jesus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)

            God the Holy Spirit indwells us and empowers us with His life.  He compares Himself to an evergreen tree in Hosea 14:8:  “I am like an evergreen cypress; from Me comes your fruit.”  God is our never-failing source of life and fruitfulness.

            So, look around at the evergreen decorations that were lovingly put up this past Sunday by members of Good Shepherd.  They convey the message of eternal life.  That is what Advent and Christmas are all about:  the eternal life Jesus won for us at His first coming, which we will experience fully at His second coming.  Every time you look at the evergreen decorations be reminded of this – Jesus has come and will come again to give you everlasting life.

                                    Amen.      

November 30, 2025                Text:  Romans 13:11-14

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Ever since we got these royal blue paraments that adorn our altar, lectern, and pulpit they have been a favorite.  We even used them for our Church Anniversary this past summer.  There is just something that feels right about that color for this season of Advent.  We are in preparation mood for Christmas.  This royal blue color symbolizes hope and expectancy. 

            Throughout the years our midweek Advent worship services have had a theme that has been preached on.  This year it is, “Every Heart Prepare:  Seeing Christ in the Holiday Decorations.”  We usually have not had a theme for our Sunday morning Advent services.  Well, this year we are going to.  The theme for our Sunday mornings and Christmas is going to be “Advent Blues.”  The color is before us, so let’s get started . . .

“THE COLOR OF ADVENT”

            Our text starts, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.  For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand.  So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (v. 11-12)

            “The day is at hand.”  Darkness is passing away.  Light is dawning.  When do we see blue?  During the day, right?  Blue skies that reflect the sun and give us the light that we so enjoy.  The light of the day is to reflect our spiritual walk.  Paul states that at the beginning of our next verse, “Let us walk properly as in the daytime.” (v. 13a)

            Unfortunately, we do not always walk under blue skies and sunshine.  Sometimes we are “singing the blues” because of our behavior.  Paul mentions a few in our text, orgies and getting drunk, sexual immorality and sensuality, quarreling and jealousy.  Our sin is readily evident, and guilt traps us.  Darkness finds us.  Darkness surrounds us.  We can be trapped in our dark thoughts and ways if we do not cast off these works of darkness.  Our relationship with God our Creator has been damaged, but God heard the agonizing cry from the souls of His people.  He responded.  He sent His Son to articulate clearly to this troubled planet that God still loves His people and wants them to be one with Him.  The Savior came for us.

            Jesus the prophet came proclaiming the good news.  Our shattered lives have been made whole again.  Jesus preached a love that chased away the blues, that turned hope into reality.  Jesus came to color our world with joy, to change the hues of sadness to shades of cheer.

            Jesus was different from the other prophets.  He was different from Elijah and Elisha, Isaiah and Jeremiah, as well as his cousin John the Baptist, really the last of the Old Testament prophets.  Jesus was different because of how he spoke.  The other prophets spoke for God, but Jesus spoke as God.  That is why He chases “the blues” so successfully.

            At a performance of Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg by the Danish Royal Opera, the soprano lost her voice.  She was able to act the role, so she moved her lips while a substitute sang the part from offstage.  Even if they had practiced, they could not have performed better.  They sang as one.  Likewise, the prophets of old were spokesman for God.  As they opened their mouths, so the people heard the voice of God.  They spoke as one.  They prepared the world for the coming Savior. 

            Yet Jesus is more than they, for the singers memorized a libretto and score by Richard Wagner, but Jesus composed his own lyrics and tunes – those that could only come from God himself.  Thus, Jesus came as a prophet singing a song of good news to people who had long sung “the blues.”  He did so not as an actor, but as the author – the one Peter called “the author of life.” (Acts 3:15)

            Paul says in our text we are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.”  How does that happen?  When Jesus colors your Advent season with love and forgiveness.  Come, then, to the altar, see the blue, feel the light, and taste the body and blood of Christ given and shed for you.

            In an age that can become bleak with sad news emanating from the world’s far corners, hear the good news.  Jesus paints our world with hope instead of dread, with joy despite sorrow.  Permit Him, through the Spirit, to occupy the pulpit of your life daily to preach the good news.  May the Color of Advent shine on you.

                        Amen.

November 26, 2025 – Thanksgiving Eve     Texts:  Genesis 22:1-14, Hebrews 11:17-19

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Could you have done it?  Could you have marched your precious child up that mountain and sacrificed him to the Lord?  Wrapping their wrists and ankles so they couldn’t move.  Could you take that knife in your hands and plunge it into the flesh of your child? 

            How many of you would turn your back on this sacrifice?  Is God being evil, cruel and petty?  Is  He is asking this of you just to prove you love Him?  How many have left the faith over the years because of this biblical story?  How can God be so harsh?

            Most people don’t know the whole story.  This isn’t about child sacrifice.  This story is actually about the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Maybe this text is a little odd for the holiday, but then again maybe it will make sense.  This Thanksgiving . . .

“THE LORD WILL PROVIDE”

            The text from Hebrews, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’” (v. 17-18).

            God had said this to Abraham, “through Isaac shall your offspring be named,” when Isaac was growing up in Genesis 21.  The story in our text for tonight is Genesis 22.  Isaac had to live long enough to have a son.  Had to.  Or God would be a liar.  And Isaac hadn’t had any kids yet.

            Is this a test to see if Abraham loved God more than his son?  No.  Is this a bloodthirsty God who wants child sacrifice?  Of course not.  This isn’t a test of Abraham’s obedience or his sacrifice.  This is about his faith.  This is about the promise God made.  Isaac has to have children and to have children he must be alive.  He cannot do that if he is dead.  Isaac must come down that mountain with Abraham.  Abraham was sure that God was faithful to His promises.  It didn’t look good, but he had faith that God would act in faithfulness.  The Lord will provide.

            In Genesis what day does it say they come down from the mountain?  When did Abraham figuratively receive his son back from the dead, his day of resurrection?  The Bible says, “on the third day.” (v. 4)

            Abraham saw the wood, the bonds, the crown of thorns, the Lamb of God, the third-day resurrection.  Because the Lamb slain in place of his son meant blessings for all the nations of the earth.

            Does all of this change the way you see Abraham and Isaac?  Do you understand God differently?  Do you think knowing what was happening, would it help someone who struggles with this story?  See, that is why we must read the Old Testament in light of the New.

            The Lord provided the Lamb.  He would be sacrificed for you.  Your sins would be laid upon Him and God allowed him to be strapped to a cross and nails pounded into his flesh.  He was the obedient Son who fulfilled the Father’s plan of salvation and provided for us the greatest gift this Thanksgiving and every day – the salvation of our soul.

            Ok parents, having you ever laid the cross of wood on your children and given them over to death in the certain hope of resurrection?  That what Paul says happens in baptism.  “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:3-4). If you have never thought of baptism that way, let Abraham’s sacrifice help you today.  Don’t get distracted by the niceties of the font.  It is a place of sacrifice of drowning into the grave with Christ in his crucifixion, so that you, too, and your children can know the power of resurrection.  That is what you did for your child and what your parents did for you in baptism.  Thanks be to God!

            I pray this time meditating on the sacrifice of Isaac impacts your faith so that you can rejoice in your baptism day.  You can give thanks for what the Lord has provided to you and to your children.  God’s Blessings as you remember how the Lord has provided.

Amen.