“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
SCRIPTURE READINGS
HYMNS FOR THE DAY
- Opening Hymn “God Has Spoken by His Prophets” (LSB 583)
- Hymn of the Day “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (LSB 357) Text under “more” in video.
- Distribution Hymns
- “A Great and Mighty Wonder” (LSB 383)
- “O God of God, O Light of Light” (LSB 810)
- “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (LSB 384) Text here.
- “Come Thou Precious Ransom, Come” (LSB 350)
- Closing Hymn “O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide” (LSB 355) Text unavailable.
fourth sunday in advent
Sermon
A note from Pastor regarding his sermon:
Isaiah’s prophecy to King Ahaz in our Old Testament reading contains the famous promise of a virgin birth and deliverance from the enemies that plague the people of Israel. As Christians who can read God’s Word in the Old Testament with the understanding that it points us to Jesus Christ as the ultimate deliverer of God’s faithful people, we know that this prophecy reminds us that Christ will come to live among us and die for our sins. But for the people of Israel in Isaiah’s day, there was also a short-term fulfillment of this prophecy, and the Israelites found themselves trapped between the mighty kingdoms of Assyria and Egypt.
But understanding that God’s prophecies often have short- and long-term fulfillments, we are reminded as well of the short- and long-term meanings of the Advent season and our preparation to receive our Lord and Savior on Christmas: On that first Christmas morning, Jesus came to earth to live as true God and true man. But Jesus is also coming to bring judgment to the world and bring His faithful people into a new and perfect creation. And He comes to us each week in His body and blood in the Sacrament. Rejoice! Jesus has come! Jesus is coming!