Advent 3 Midweek - The Snow Continues

 

The Hymn # 77:1-8  - Gerhardt              All My Heart   

Some may wonder about the birth of Christ  and the highlights when Advent addresses the cross. The concept is to assume the entire scope  from Creation to the End of all Time. Some will say, "Aha. There goes those sweeping narratives, so much to learn and re-learn."

There are very few who can learn so much, and they are even more eager to learn. Christmas begins at the first verses of Genesis. It is not just God the Father, but God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God the Father commands, the Son executes the commands, and the Spirit teaches us through His Word.

God is One, and the more we consider His work and His love, the more we understand His nature and ours. Just as we understand the Virgin Birth, the Star, and the baby in the manager, so we listen to the Word in every aspect of our lives. The Words are simple and plain, so the great leaders and warriors are completely without the truth revealed.

I recently saw puzzles that fit the problem. This older man gradually drew all the complicated parts together, hundreds and hundreds, everything must fit. The joy is in fitting them together and being beautiful to admire.   

Many today are outside the puzzle, because they scorn the Bible if they even try to look and listen. 

 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

53 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

The bad and the good are mixed together, but ultimately for God's approval and our fulfillment.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Tom Fisher is a farmer who shows off his sheep and reminds us of the Biblical lessons. His little lambs are as beautiful as can be, with faces of delight and jumping around. The adults show their maturity.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Verse 9 brings us back to the divine, knowing how great this event was - but also has great it is. There is nothing else like it, except within the eternity of the Son of God, from Genesis 1:1 to the ending of St. John's Revelation. 

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

We have miniature travails, and they teach us how to understand and appreciate God's universe, the Shepherd of all.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

And so He became the Greatest among the Least, and we honor this work for all believers in Christ.

Delivered on the front porch for a couple's wedding. Saved from the garden.

"All My Heart This Night Rejoices"

by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

1. All my heart this night rejoices

As I hear Far and near

Sweetest angel voices.

"Christ is born," their choirs are singing

Till the air Everywhere

Now with joy is ringing.

2. Forth today the Conqueror goeth,

Who the foe, Sin and woe,

Death and hell, o'erthroweth.

God is man, man to deliver;

His dear Son Now is one

With our blood forever.

3. Shall we still dread God's displeasure,

Who, to save, Freely gave

His most cherished Treasure?

To redeem us, He hath given

His own Son From the throne

Of His might in heaven.

4. Should He who Himself imparted

Aught withhold From the fold,

Leave us broken-hearted?

Should the Son of God not love us,

Who, to cheer Sufferers here,

Left His throne above us?

5. If our blessed Lord and Maker

Hated men, Would He then

Be of flesh partaker?

If He in our woe delighted,

Would He bear All the care

Of our race benighted?

6. He becomes the Lamb that taketh

Sin away And for aye

Full atonement maketh.

For our life His own He tenders

And our race, By His grace,

Meet for glory renders.

7. Hark! a voice from yonder manger,

Soft and sweet, Doth entreat:

"Flee from woe and danger.

Brethren, from all ills that grieve you

You are feed; All you need

I will surely give you."

8. Come, then, banish all your sadness,

One and all, Great and small;

Come with songs of gladness.

Love Him who with love is glowing;

Hail the Star, Near and far

Light and joy bestowing.

9. Ye whose anguish knew no measure,

Weep no more; See the door

To celestial pleasure.

Cling to Him, for He will guide you

Where no cross, Pain, or loss

Can again betide you.

10. Hither come, ye heavy-hearted,

Who for sin, Deep within,

Long and sore have smarted;

For the poisoned wound you're feeling

Help is near, One is here

Mighty for their healing.

11. Hither come, ye poor and wretched;

Know His will Is to fill

Every hand outstretched.

Here are riches without measure;

Here forget All regret,

Fill your hearts with treasure.

12. Let me in my arms receive Thee;

On Thy breast Let me rest,

Savior, ne'er to leave Thee.

Since Thou hast Thyself presented

Now to me, I shall be

Evermore contented.

13. Guilt no longer can distress me;

Son of God, Thou my load

Bearest to release me.

Stain in me Thou findest never;

I am clean, All my sin

Is removed forever.

14. I am pure, in Thee believing,

From Thy store Evermore

Righteous robes receiving

In my heart I will enfold Thee,

Treasure rare, Let me there,

Loving, ever hold Thee.

15. Dearest Lord, Thee will I cherish.

Though my breath Fail in death,

Yet I shall not perish,

But with Thee abide forever

There on high, In that joy

Which can vanish never.

The Lutheran Hymnal

Hymn # 77

Text: Luke 2:11

Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1653

Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.

Titled: "Froehlich soll mein Herze springen"

Composer: Johann Crueger, 1653

Tune: "Froehlich soll mein Herze"

Shunning Initiated - Caused by Anxiety?

 

I have been covered in anxiety many times, so I wonder about people initiating shunning to avoid worries. When I used to go to synodical meetings, some people made a point of turning away. Some came so close that I reached out and shook hands, which leveraged the shunning on their side. I always smiled and and said something cheerful while the opposing arm was stiffly pulled away.

We all have anxiety in common, sometimes drenched in fears, other times solved or helped by others. The core is the direct application of prayer to Jesus Christ and encouragement from His believers. Going without the means of prayer will always weaken our understanding  - and even direct us in the worst ways (leaning on ourselves).

I suggest more of the supply of faith and prayer together, repeating often. I will repeat the famous but often over-looked Psalm - 91 KJV. Others are equally good - better to repeat than to race along.

KJV

Suspected Snow - Bad Luck Brian

 

Predictions are so fallible. Snow is ready to offer more this afternoon. Readers are often anxious to see how much worse another area is. In German - "joy in sorrow."

I thought a little snow would fall soon, but it was the 4,000 views that startled me - in one 24 hour day. Actual snow should fall. Ah, now it is falling at a steady rate.

Posts Are Like Roses

 

I received a series of hand-made cards, drawn and described, eloquent and thoughtful. The flower drawings were equally impressive - right from the heart, as they say.

The lack of gardening today is definitely a sign of moving away from the beauty of Creation. The first two white puppies visiting me - both went right for my face for kisses. I garden on the ground, which gives a lot more intimate detail. Rabbits also casually walked through  the garden, their eyes to mine - no anxiety and darting away - a great honor in my opinion.

I gave a Veteran's Honor to one person, who then took it to a dying patient she was helping. Each day that "tiny" rose opened up more, until everyone who saw it gasped at the size, perfection, and beauty. The helper said, "My client never met you, but that rose captivated her and me and everyone else.

 Norma Boeckler, gardener and painter.

My paternal grandfather was a rose expert and my mother loved keeping the secrets away - such as letting the chlorine escape for better results.

Flowers are ephemeral but lasting. Spreading them around is important. Luther observed that responding to a difficult person with bad feelings will never get anywhere. That is so easy - to only give flowers or similar gifts to the favorites. Using the stink eye or ignoring the bad person - nothing is gained, plenty can be lost. The Luther method is to be especially positive toward others, especially those who never expect it. Yes, it is tough to hand that gift, smiling the first time. But that can do a lot over time.

Enchanted Peace Rose reminded people on the perimeter of the garden. They could see problems and were glad to mention them too. Later the rain gave us 8 foot tall Enchanted Peace Roses - making people lean back to see them. 

St. John's Revelation - Gospel Content

 

I was waiting for an important document to finish today, so I read St. John's Revelation out loud to myself. 

Revelation is heavy with Gospel proclamations, and I think they should shine even more obviously because they are so glowingly powerful about the Son of God, the Trinity, and the evil ones. People ruin the balance when they pick out ideas that seem odd or quirky. 

Try reading Luke 21 - a miniature Revelation - on the threatening side.

My Waterloo Lutheran Seminarians of the 1970s have gone to their rewards (judge for yourselves). Their beautiful chapel hosts Doggie Day Care on cushions, and the seminary itself is sectarian for a future graduating class of 3 or 4. Likewise, the two giant Lutheran churches of the 1970s are 1) a motellette, and 2) another motellette.

The most important ingredient of this world - as Luther taught - is grace through faith, but it is the buried beneath the glory of Revelation gory.

22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

 

The Second Sunday in Advent - 2025 - Hymn Tunes Work on the Links

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

Holy Communion

Pastor Gregory Jackson

The Hymn # 56           Jesus Came the Heavens Adoring

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation 

Collect

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle                          Romans 15:4-13

Gradual

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined: our God shall come.

V. Gather My saints together unto Me: 

those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The powers of heaven shall be shaken: 

and then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud 

with power and great glory. Hallelujah!

The Gospel                           Luke 21:25-36 

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #59      Hail to the God's Anointed

The Son of Man

The Hymn #314          Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray  - Henry E. Jacobs

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn # 47                             Savior Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise

Prayers and Announcements

• Prayers -  Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, Sarah Buck, Doc Lito, Kermit Way, Lori Howell is doing well.
• Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.
• Very bad weather in Minneapolis, which may still allow a saved service.

Second Sunday In Advent

Lord God, heavenly Father, who by Thy Son hast revealed to us that heaven and earth shall pass away, that our bodies shall rise again, and that we all shall appear before the judgment seat: We beseech Thee, keep us by Thy Holy Spirit in Thy word; establish us in the true faith, graciously defend us from sin and preserve us in all temptations, that our hearts may not be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, but that we may ever watch and pray and, trusting fully in Thy grace, await with joy the glorious coming of Thy Son, and at last obtain eternal salvation, through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

KJV Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

KJV Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

                                                              The Son of Man

Luke 21:25-31

First of all, I want to mention my difficulty with language. That problem is used by doctors and nurses when they test me. I block phrases for no particular reason, except I am older now. 

Second I have started the process of assisted living, which is supported by Social Security and savings, a fair deal with many good options. I am looking forward to it, especially since Glen is from that area, and his mother still works there (and attended - with Glen - the initial discussion with me).

Third, Zoom has become more complicated for me. I am not going to use Zoom, so I will try to use the simpler form, which is

 https://www.youtube.com/@GregoryJacksonPhD

KJV Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Many of you have said - like me - that all of the Revelation of St. John is most of the end of the New Testament. But study this passage from Luke 21:25 to 38. This is Revelation so involved with the end of the world that they have to recognize the parallel in Revelation and many other passages (not unlike Daniel and other books).

Jesus is warning them to watch out for 

• Signs in the sun
• Signs in the moon
• Stars
• Earth - distresses
• The seas
• Fear
• Powers of the earth shaken

A fraction of this list should have made a crowd flatten to the ground. And so it is today, with all of those stated clearly and everyone ignoring most of these signs.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Nota bene - take note - these two verses are very powerful. Walking by a large poster just now, I noticed a favorite Psalm 91, saying almost the same words of Jesus. And yet centuries are apart!

At least two households said, they laughed out loud when I was evicted (a threat) and the landlord said I was leaving in a couple of days? 

This Luke passage and Psalm 91 alone remind us of what God can do in faith, many miracles beyond any expectation.

Scoffers fall into their own trap when they trust in themselves and all the things that enchant them. That is done easily because most of the world is bedazzled by so many dazzles.

But in fact, the Faith of Jesus is the greatest attraction of all, as He is so ready to show us in so many ways. Instead of looking down at everything wrong and disappointing, look up at Jesus and His desire to lead, to enlighten, to strengthen.

Redemption is near.

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

Repetition is the key to the Scriptures, because so much is taught and so much is forgotten or ignored. Creation is another key, because everyone who wants to eat good food will always look for what is happening. The farmer or gardener looks for the tell-tale signs. Rosarians look for the bud and how it is so ready to burst into the flower. Cold and dryness hurt the rose and people watch for it to reach its full bloom. Impatient? We should know that time table belongs to God, who overflows goodness and blessings in so many different ways.

32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

This is the Great Promise - heaven and earth will pass away but the Words of Jesus will never pass away. They become the Ultimate Knowledge of God.

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

So many are casual or caustic about anything faithful to Jesus the Son of God. This passage alone is quite a jolt!

AMEN!

Yes, the Weather Is Too Cold Today

 

First the snow and cold came for sunny Minnesota. Next another wave swept across those areas without stopping to melt the snow - or even rest.

The Stoning of Stephen reminds me of the violence absorbed. Yet he gathered the greatest of all pain and blessing, apart from Jesus Christ.

KJV Acts 7:54  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

GJ - Many times the worst comes upon us. At any given point someone will say or think - "Why is this so bad?" We stop to ask for help, and God reverses the problem and bad turns into good, even miraculously so. I especially enjoy praying for people when the worst appears and God turns the worst into the best for us, even when we are worried and burdened. Mindful of successes and Bible clear messages, I am happy to offer my prayers for myself and for many others.

    My biggest smiles come from my wife Christina, my daughter Bethany Joan Marie, and the baby Erin Joy. All three beam at me from two walls. Christina especially glows at Erin grinning at the camera. Doesn't every parent and grandparent enjoy that? Bethany was wearing her red Christmas dress on her fourth Christmas. Many loved the joy within them, and that continues.

I told Christina not to leave the bed during the service - because she had dangerous falls. She could not stop smiling and laughing at "disobeying."