Category: Moments of Meditation

December 21, 2024

Broadcast

                  The Great ``O'' Antiphons -- Part 5
                             Luke 1:78-79
                              12/21/2024


        78   Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby
             the sunrise shall visit us from on high
        79   to give light to those who sit in darkness and in
             the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the
             way of peace.  (ESV)

                  O Dayspring, splendor of light ever- |
                  lasting:*
                       Come and enlighten those in darkness and
                       in the shad- | ow of death.


        The great ``O'' Antiphon for the twenty-first of December
   comes from the Song of Zechariah, found in the first chapter of
   Luke:
        Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the
        sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to
        those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
        to guide our feet into the way of peace.


        This antiphon, which reflects also the prophet Isaiah, ``The
   people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who
   dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined,''[1]
   applies to Jesus' second coming.  The wording of the antiphon
   reflects the older King James translation which uses the term
   ``Dayspring'' in place of ``sunrise'' in the Benedictus.  This
   specialized Messianic title says that the rising of the morning
   light overcomes the darkness of night.

        We pray, therefore, that Jesus, the Light that no darkness
   can overcome, return quickly to redeem this world from the gloom
   of sin and death.

        May our Lord grant us the light of faith which holds firmly
   to God's rich promises of grace and mercy.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)

December 20, 2024

Broadcast

                  The Great ``O'' Antiphons -- Part 4
                             Isaiah 22:22
                              12/20/2024


        22   And I will place on his shoulder the key of the
             house of David. He shall open, and none shall
             shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
             (ESV)

                  O Key of David and scepter of the house of
                  Israel, You open and no one can close, You
                  close and no one can | open:*
                       Come and rescue the prisoners who are in
                       darkness and the shad- | ow of death.


        The great ``O'' Antiphon for the twentieth of December comes
   from Isaiah, the twenty-second chapter.  ``And I will place on
   his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and
   none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.''  Saint
   John also uses this title in Revelations: ``And to the angel of
   the church in Philadelphia write: `The words of the holy one, the
   true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will
   shut, who shuts and no one opens.'''[1]

        This name of Jesus, the Key of David, reminds us of the
   Office of the Ministry which our Lord gave to the Church.  Jesus
   told the disciples: ``I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
   heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
   and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.''[2]
   Our Lord has unlocked the kingdom of heaven for all who trust in
   Him, giving them the complete forgiveness of their
   transgressions.

        May our Lord grant us hope, knowing we soon will be
   delivered from the chains of our sin.  Amen.
   ____________________
   1. Revelation 3:7 (ESV)
   2. Matthew 16:19 (ESV)

December 19, 2024

Broadcast

                  The Great ``O'' Antiphons -- Part 3
                             Isaiah 11:10
                              12/19/2024


        10   In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as
             a signal for the peoples -- of him shall the
             nations inquire, and his resting place shall be
             glorious.  (ESV)

                  O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before
                  the peoples, before whom all kings are mute,
                  to whom the nations will do | homage:*
                       Come quickly to de- | liver us.


        The Antiphon for December 19 is drawn from Isaiah: ``In that
   day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the
   peoples -- of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting
   place shall be glorious.''

        At the time of Jesus' birth, there was no descendant of King
   David on the throne in Jerusalem.  Herod was not part of David's
   family, but was put in charge of Judea because of political
   reasons.  The children of Israel longed for the restoration of
   the kingdom of David and Solomon, based in part on Isaiah's
   prophecy.

        Jesus came first, not as a ruler, not to restore Israel, but
   as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of all people.  One of the
   themes of Advent is that of Christ Jesus coming again with the
   blast of a trumpet to judge the living and the dead.  This
   Antiphon confesses that, although Christ Jesus won the victory
   over sin and the grave, that victory will be given to us only
   when He returns on the last day.

        May our Lord grant us the strength of faith to wait for Him.
   Amen.

December 18, 2024

                  The Great ``O'' Antiphons -- Part 2
                             Exodus 3:1-2
                              12/18/2024


        1    Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-
             law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his
             flock to the west side of the wilderness and came
             to Horeb, the mountain of God.
        2    And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a
             flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He
             looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it
             was not consumed.  (ESV)

                  O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel,
                  who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and
                  gave him the Law on | Sinai:*
                       Come with an outstretched arm and re- |
                       deem us.


        Since at least the eleventh century, those who gather for
   the evening Vespers service have sung the Song of Mary, the
   Magnificat.  During the last week of Advent, this canticle is
   preceded and followed by a short verse which names Jesus and asks
   Him to come quickly to deliver the church from sin, death and the
   power of the devil.

        God appeared to Moses several times, the first being his
   call to be the prophet to Israel as God spoke from the burning
   bush, and the second as God gave him the Law on Mount Sinai.
   Each time God speaks in the Old Testament, it is through the pre-
   incarnate Christ.  It was the Son of God who spoke from the
   burning bush, and the Son of God who thundered on the mountain
   while engraving the Ten Commandments on two tables of stone.

        Only the Son of God can redeem us from sin, death, and the
   power of the devil.  If He could be in the burning bush without
   consuming it, if He delivered the Law, He has the power to save.
   May our Lord grant that we hear Him and trust in His almighty
   deliverance.  Amen.

December 17, 2024

Broadcast

                  The Great ``O'' Antiphons -- Part 1
                             Proverbs 8:33
                              12/17/2024


        33   Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect
             it.  (ESV)

                  O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the
                  Most High, pervading and permeating all
                  creation, mightily ordering | all things:*
                       Come and teach us the way of | prudence.


        We sing The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) as the canticle for
   the daily office service of Vespers.  During the last week of
   Advent, when it is sung, it is preceded and followed by an
   antiphon, a single verse that connects the canticle to the holy
   day being observed.  During this week the antiphons begin with
   the word ``O'' followed by a form of address to Christ.  Each
   antiphon is a prayer to the Son of God imploring Him to come as
   our judge and redeemer on the last day.

        The Antiphon for December 17 is drawn from the book of
   Proverbs.

        In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is more than an attribute of
   God.  It is the title used to identify the Son as distinct from
   the Father.  Wisdom is identified as one who existed before the
   world was created, and the One through whom all things were
   ordered.

        The Antiphon reflects the language of Proverbs, where Wisdom
   says: ``Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.''[1]

        May our Lord grant us the wisdom to recognize the coming of
   Christ Jesus, our Lord.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Proverbs 8:33

December 16, 2024

Broadcast

                     Sing Unto the Lord a New Song
                              Psalm 98:1
                              12/16/2024


        1    Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done
             marvelous things!  His right hand and his holy arm
             have worked salvation for him.  (ESV)

        The Psalmist wrote:
        Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done
        marvelous things!  His right hand and his holy arm have
        worked salvation for him.


        Psalms are the hymnbook of the Bible, and there are also
   other hymns throughout the Old and New Testaments.  Those songs
   which are not from the Psalms are called Canticles.  Among the
   Canticles are the Nunc Dimittis, ``Lord, now let your servant go
   in peace according to Your Word''; the Magnificat, ``My soul
   magnifies the Lord'', and the Benedictus, ``Blessed be the Lord
   God of Israel.''  These three Canticles are found in the first
   two chapters of Luke.

        God's people have always raised their voices in praise of
   the Almighty God.  Hymns not only speak in prayer to our heavenly
   Father, they also teach us of His grace, love, and mercy.

        An ancient practice, one that goes back before the time of
   Jesus' birth, is to sing a verse before and after a Psalm or
   Canticle.  This verse, called the antiphon, summarizes the
   teaching of the song, or draws our attention to the importance of
   the day.

        During the last week of Advent, as we are preparing for the
   coming of our Redeemer, the Church recalls the longing for the
   Messiah with a series of antiphons which are used in the daily
   worship services.  Each day the antiphon begins with the word
   ``O'' and a title of the coming Christ.  This week, beginning
   tomorrow, we will hear and ponder these antiphons.  You can find
   the text and meditation on the antiphon on the Trinity website,
   http://trinityslayton.info under the menu item ``Turn Your Radio
   On.''

        May our Lord grant you His grace and peace as we await His
   coming.  Amen.

December 13, 2024

Broadcast

                        The Messenger - Part 5
                             Malachi 4:5-6
                              12/13/2024


        5    Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before
             the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
        6    And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their
             children and the hearts of children to their
             fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a
             decree of utter destruction.  (ESV)

        The book of Malachi, the book of the messenger of God,
   brings a three-fold message.  First, it spoke to those serving in
   the Temple following the restoration of Jerusalem after the
   Babylonian captivity.  It gave a warning of false doctrine and
   practices which did not give glory to God.  Second, it
   foreshadowed the first coming of Jesus, speaking of His
   forerunner, John, speaking of our Lord appearing suddenly in the
   Temple.  Finally, it speaks of the final coming of our Lord Jesus
   to judge the living and the dead.

        Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the
        great and awesome day of the LORD comes.  And he will
        turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the
        hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and
        strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.


        Elijah called Israel to repent, to turn from worthless idols
   and trust in God alone.  John the Baptizer called Israel to
   repent, to turn from worthless reliance on traditions and pious
   actions so to trust in God alone.  The Church calls spiritual
   Israel, and the world, to repent, to trust in the Triune God,
   Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so to have eternal life.

        Advent is a time of preparation.  We look back on God's
   promises and see how the death and resurrection of Jesus
   fulfilled the ancient prophecies.  We see how Christ Jesus is
   with His Church today in Word and Sacrament.  We believe He will
   come again in glory.

        Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church each Sunday
   morning to learn more of our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier,
   the one True God.  May our Lord grant us grace to hear the call
   of His messenger.  Amen.

December 12, 2024

Broadcast

                        The Messenger - Part 4
                             Malachi 4:4-5
                              12/12/2024


        4    Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes
             and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all
             Israel.
        5    Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before
             the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
             (ESV)

        The last chapter of Malachi certainly brings to mind the
   final judgment, which is part of the Advent theme, but it also
   speaks of the first coming of Jesus.  Malachi, the messenger of
   God, wrote:
        Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and
        rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.
        Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the
        great and awesome day of the LORD comes.


        In the Lutheran tradition, the last Sunday of the Epiphany
   Season commemorates the Transfiguration of Jesus.  There on an
   unnamed mountain, Peter, James, and John looked upon the glory of
   Christ.  Standing with Jesus were Moses and Elijah, the one
   through whom God gave the Law, and the one considered the
   foremost prophet.  Malachi calls upon us to listen to both Moses
   and Elijah for both speak the Word of God for our salvation.

        Jesus identified John the Baptist as coming in the power of
   Elijah as he proclaimed, ``Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is
   at hand.''  The prophetic word of Elijah, the prophetic word of
   John, the prophetic word of the Church bring the same message.
   Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful.

        The great and awesome day of the LORD comes with Christ
   Jesus.  There, on the cross outside the city gates of Jerusalem,
   there in the unnatural darkness where even the sun refused to
   bring light on the death of Jesus, our Lord died to bring you
   life everlasting.  Yet death could not hold the sinless Christ,
   showing that we also, being declared sinless for His sake, will
   also rise again.  May our Lord grant that we hear Moses and
   Elijah that we may have life in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

December 11, 2024

Broadcast

                        The Messenger - Part 3
                              Malachi 4:4
                              12/11/2024


        4    Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes
             and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all
             Israel.  (ESV)

        Malachi, God's messenger, has called our attention to the
   coming day of the LORD.  On that day the evil and arrogant will
   be set ablaze, while the ones who trust in God will find the joy
   of salvation.  Malachi said nothing new, nothing which hadn't
   been proclaimed by countless others.

        Everything we need to know about the Triune God, about His
   grace, love, and mercy, is readily available.  There is nothing
   hidden, nothing that only special wise people can find, nothing
   which is not clearly proclaimed.

        Malachi wrote: ``Remember the law of my servant Moses, the
   statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all
   Israel.''  The words Moses gave the children of Israel at Mount
   Horeb before they crossed the Jordan River to enter the land once
   promised to Abraham are a retelling of the words God spoke at
   Mount Sinai.  They were certainly words of the Law, but also
   words of promise, of grace, of love.

        What was the word of God given through Moses at Mount Horeb?
   ``And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you,
   but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love
   him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all
   your soul.''[1] That fear of the LORD is to trust in His
   promises, to hold firmly to His grace, and to serve Him above
   that which He created.

        May our Lord grant us the faith to fully trust in Him for
   our eternal blessing.  Amen.
   ____________________

   1. Deuteronomy 10:12 (ESV)

December 10, 2024

Broadcast

                        The Messenger - Part 2
                             Malachi 4:2-3
                              12/10/2024


        2    But for you who fear my name, the sun of
             righteousness shall rise with healing in its
             wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from
             the stall.
        3    And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will
             be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day
             when I act, says the LORD of hosts.  (ESV)

        The message of the Old Testament prophets and the New
   Testament apostles is consistent.  Turn from your sin, turn from
   your selfish desires, and look to your Creator.  Stop trusting in
   those things which perish, and hold firmly to the God who made
   heaven and earth, who longs to redeem you from the condemnation
   which is the just punishment of our transgressions.

        Malachi, the messenger of God, spoke of the fate of the
   arrogant and evildoers who will be destroyed.  He also speaks of
   the blessings for those who trust in God, who recognize that
   Jesus Christ is their only hope for eternal life.

        But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness
        shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out
        leaping like calves from the stall.  And you shall
        tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the
        soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the
        LORD of hosts.


        The ``sun of righteousness'' which Malachi promises is none
   other than Jesus.  Our Christmas hymn, ``Hark! The Herald Angel
   Sings,'' uses this title for the infant.  Even the Epiphany
   season has the theme that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World,
   the Light no darkness can overcome.  Those who trust in God are
   truly healed from the guilt of their sin, from the fear of
   eternal death.  They are freed from the condemnation of the Law,
   redeemed by the blood of Christ.  Even in the midst of trials
   they find the joy of knowing God's presence, especially as we
   hear His Word and partake of the Sacraments.  We look forward to
   the day when our Lord comes to restore His creation, to show
   Himself as the Sun of Righteousness.  Until that day, we call
   upon Him in prayer, we praise His holy name, and give thanks for
   His great mercy.

        May you find comfort and hope in the words of God's
   messenger.  Amen.