Theme of the Day: What Child Is This? He Turns Slaves into Sons
The ability to appreciate Christmas is directly proportional to the understanding for whom Christmas is. Christmas is only meant for those who are held captive by our enemies, sin and death. Christmas is for people who have no power of their own to free themselves from those enemies. Christmas is for people who patiently wait for God to set them free. God’s Christmas gift is for slaves, but it does not leave them that way. Jesus takes those born in slavery and turns them into sons and daughters of God. He makes us heirs of a glorious, eternal inheritance. He sets us free from a forced servitude to our enemies and replaces it with joyful service to our loving Father.
Luke 1:68-75
Genesis 17:1-7
Galatians 4:4-7
Psalm 148
42 – Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising
86 – The Only Son from Heaven
315 – Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face
40 – O Jesus Christ, Your Manger Is
275 – Blest Be the God of Israel
Prayer of the Day: Almighty God, you have filled us with the new light of the Word who became flesh and lived among us. Let the light of our faith shine in all we do; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Alleluia. (Psalm 98:3)