Advent Reflections 2008
Advent Reflections 2008
Reflections for the season of Advent for 2008.
January 10, 2009 - Saturday After Epiphany
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! (From the Introit for Epiphany 1)
January 9, 2009 - Friday After Epiphany
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (Ezekiel 3:17).
January 8, 2009 - Thursday After Epiphany
And He said to me: "Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. (Ezekiel 2:3)
January 7, 2009 - Wednesday After Epiphany
You shall not murder. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need. (The Fifth Commandment)
January 6, 2009 - The Epiphany of Our Lord
So [the chief priests and scribes] said to [Herod], "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel' " (Matthew 2:5-6).
January 5, 2009 - Monday in the 2nd Week After Christmas
“So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him.” (Genesis 46:6)
January 4, 2009 - Second Sunday After Christmas
“Flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” (Matthew 2:13)
January 3, 2009 - Saturday in the 1st Week After Christmas
“What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4)
January 2, 2009 - Friday in the 1st Week After Christmas
“And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” (Isaiah 62:5)
January 1, 2009 - The Name of Jesus
“And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21)
December 31, 2008 - Wednesday in the 1st Week After Christmas
The Fourth Commandment: “Honor your father and your mother.” What does this mean? “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them.” (The Small Catechism)
December 30, 2008 - Tuesday in the 1st Week After Christmas
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
December 29, 2008 - Monday in the 1st Week After Christmas
“Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist.” (Isaiah 11:5)
December 28, 2008 - First Sunday After Christmas
“Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be spoken against...that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)
December 27, 2008 - St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
“Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?'” (John 21:23b)
December 26, 2008 - St. Stephen, Martyr
“How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37b).
December 25, 2008 - Christmas Day
“And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:16)
December 24, 2008 - Christmas Eve
“And the angels said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
December 23, 2008 - Tuesday in the 4th Week of Advent
“Let your gentleness be known to all men.” (Philippians 4:5)
December 22, 2008 - Monday in the 4th Week of Advent
“And the LORD said to me: 'What they have spoken is good. I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth....” (Deuteronomy 18:17-18)
December 21, 2008 - Fourth Sunday in Advent
“It is He....Whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” (John 1:27)
December 20, 2008 - Saturday in the 3rd Week of Advent
“Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness.” (Isaiah 45:8)
December 19, 2008 - Friday in the 3rd Week of Advent
“These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:13b)
December 18, 2008 - Thursday in the 3rd Week of Advent
“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10)
December 17, 2008 - Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent
The Third Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” What does this mean? “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.” (The Small Catechism)
December 16, 2008 - Tuesday in the 3rd Week of Advent
“For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He Who judges me is the Lord.” (I Corinthians 4:4)
December 15, 2008 - Monday in the 3rd Week of Advent
“'Comfort, yes, comfort My people!' says your God. 'Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.'” (Isaiah 40:1-2)
December 14, 2008 - Third Sunday in Advent
“And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:6)
December 13, 2008 - Saturday in the 2nd Week of Advent
“Rejoice in the Lord always, Again I will say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
December 12, 2008 - Friday in the 2nd Week of Advent
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 20-21)
December 11, 2008 - Thursday in the 2nd Week of Advent
“For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim, He will be angry as in the valley of Gibeon—that He may do His work, His awesome work, and bring to pass His act, His unusual act.” (Isaiah 28:21)
December 10, 2008 - Wednesday in the 2nd Week of Advent
The Second Commandment: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” What does this mean? “We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.” (The Small Catechism)
December 9, 2008 - Tuesday in the 2nd Week of Advent
“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
December 8, 2008 - Monday in the 2nd Week of Advent
“'For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, 'that will leave them neither root nor branch.'” (Malachi 4:1)
December 7, 2008 - Second Sunday in Advent
“Watch, therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
December 6, 2008 - Saturday in the 1st Week of Advent
“Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your salvation comes.” (Isaiah 62:11)
December 5, 2008 - Friday in the 1st Week of Advent
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1)
December 4, 2008 - Thursday in the 1st Week of Advent
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19)
December 3, 2008 - Wednesday in the 1st Week of Advent
The First Commandment: "You shall have no other gods.” What does this mean? “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” (The Small Catechism)
December 2, 2008 - Tuesday in the 1st Week of Advent
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
December 1, 2008 - Monday in the 1st Week of Advent
“Now this is His Name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23:6)
November 30, 2008 - The First Sunday in Advent
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)
