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| The Shepherds and the Angels |
The Hymn #77:1-7 All My Heart This Night
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Introit
Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder.
And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God: the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Psalm. Oh, sing
unto the Lord a new song: for He hath done marvelous things.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new
birth of Thine only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free, who are held in
the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual
Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Gradual
Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: God
is the Lord which hath showed us light.
V. This is the Lord’s doing: it is marvelous in our eyes.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with majesty: the Lord
is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself. Hallelujah!
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Luke 2:1-20
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #77:8-15 All My Heart This Night
Just Like the Olden Days
Communion Hymn #311 Jesus Christ Our Blessed Savior - John Huss the Martyr
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #646 Silent Night
Announcements and Prayers
- Randy Anderson's operation was successful and unusually uncomplicated.
- New Year’s Eve, Saturday 7 PM, Holy Communion
Just Like the Olden Days
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
The Jewish people, widely scattered by the time of Christ, and the Gentiles, who had access to the Old Testament - longed for the Savior of the World. The Greeks had philosophy, engineering, and all the departments of a modern university. But only the Old Testament had the history and the Promises of the Gospel.
Even today, a university may talk about religion but it is impossible to have a religion department taught by believing Christians. As one insider told me about the community colleges in Phoenix - "They will never let a Christian teach religion, not even part-time. They need you but they will never hire you."
Everything seems impossible until it happens. Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem because of the Roman tax being tied to their census. America does the same thing.
When the birth of the Savior was predicted by the Old Testament prophets, the Roman Empire was not even an empire. It grew to be a Republic (which America copied) and degenerated into a shaky empire, much like ours. So the great and powerful in Jerusalem were on edge but the census doubtless engaged them - big family reunions and gossip about the Star of Bethlehem.
We are so engaged in the celebrations that evasions give away Christmas itself. When people say "Happy Holidays" I point out the obvious meaning - Happy Holy Days." When they are more evasive (typical of schools today) and note the Winter Break, I ask about whether to say Merry Winter and to shop for Winter Presents.
Of course, Christ-mas is the Mass - Holy Communion - recognizing the Birth of Christ.
The best, greatest, richest, most powerful people ignored Mary and Joseph - so the angel recruited the shepherds watching their flocks. This is important. They did not delay or make excuses about the great event.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
The order of salvation is clear. The angel (messenger) revealed the truth about the great event, truly the unique miracle, the Savior born.
God's good news sows faith in our hearts. Even those who have been fooled and taught false doctrine can rely on the truth revealed in a trustworthy Bible.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
God gave them good news through His angels (messengers) and the shepherds made sure everyone possible learned about it. Faith comes from the Holy Spirit teaching us the Gospel, and this faith grows like yeast in dough, like mustard seed. That is God's work and we nurture and treasure what God has given us.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Those who heard (faith comes from hearing the Gospel Word, Romans 10) - were full of wonder. The faith of a few grew to many, and that is what led up to multitudes following Jesus.
