Category: Turn Your Radio On 2025

December 22, 2025

Broadcast

                       The Great ``O'' Antiphons
                              Haggai 2:7
                              12/22/2025


        7    And I will shake all nations, so that the
             treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will
             fill this house with glory, says the LORD of
             hosts.  (ESV)

        The great ``O'' Antiphon for the twenty-second of December
   comes from the prophet Haggai.
        And I [the LORD] will shake all nations, so that the
        treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill
        this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.


                  O King of the nations, the ruler they long
                  for, the cornerstone uniting all | people:*
                       Come and save us all, whom You formed |
                       out of clay.


        The emphasis on the kingship of Christ Jesus continues as
   His rule unites ``all nations.''  Often in the Bible we hear
   Jesus refereed to as the King, most certainly in the prophecy
   fulfilled when He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  During the
   Advent season, where many choirs and orchestras present
   ``Messiah'' by George Fredrick Handel, we hear the phrase from
   Revelation, ``King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.''[1] We thrill to
   the music as the chorus proclaims, ``And He shall reign forever
   and ever,''[2]

        Thus we pray the the cornerstone the builders rejected, as
   David called the Christ in Psalm 118, come and redeem His
   creation.

        May our Lord bless you richly as you hear that Christ Jesus
   is indeed our King, who died to redeem His people from sin and
   death, who rose again to reign forever.  Amen.

   ____________________

   1. Revelation 19:16

   2. Revelation 11:15

December 21, 2025

Broadcast

                       The Great ``O'' Antiphons
                             Luke 1:78-79
                              12/21/2025


        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)

        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.


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


        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, 2025

Broadcast

                       The Great ``O'' Antiphons
                             Isaiah 22:22
                              12/20/2025


        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)

        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]

                  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.


        Saint Paul, when he wrote his letter to the Ephesians, was
   in prison.  Full well he knew the restraints, the darkness, and
   the despair of being held against his will.  Therefore, he could
   easily foresee the day when Christ Jesus would return to lead the
   prisoners from the depths of the dungeon into the light of day.
   ``Therefore it says, `When he ascended on high he led a host of
   captives, and he gave gifts to men.'''[2]

        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. Ephesians 4:8 (ESV)

December 19, 2025

Broadcast

                       The Great ``O'' Antiphons
                             Isaiah 11:10
                              12/19/2026


        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)

        The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) is assigned as the canticle
   for the daily office service of Vespers.  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 the
   seven days before Christmas Eve 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 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.''

                  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.


        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, 2025

Broadcast

                       The Great ``O'' Antiphons
                             Exodus 3:1-2
                              12/18/2025


        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)

        The ``O'' Antiphon for December 18 comes both from the third
   and twentieth chapters of Exodus.

                  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.


        A theophany is an occurrence recorded in the Bible where God
   appeared to someone in the Old Testament.  Two of the great
   theophanies in Exodus were the call of Moses at the burning bush,
   and the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.  These events defined
   the Exodus, commissioning the leader who would deliver the
   children of Israel from Egypt, and the giving of the Old
   Testament covenant of the Law.

        We understand each theophany as the pre-incarnate Son of
   God, the Word of God, speaking directly with the people.  Thus 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, 2025

Broadcast

                       The Great ``O'' Antiphons
                          1 Corinthians 1:24
                              12/17/2026


        24   But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,
             Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
             (ESV)

        The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) is assigned as the canticle
   for the daily office service of Vespers.  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 the
   seven days before Christmas Eve 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.

                  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.


        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.  Saint Paul alludes to this: ``But to those who are
   called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the
   wisdom of God.''[1]

        The Antiphon reflects the language of Proverbs, where Wisdom
   says: ``Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.''[2]

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

   1. 1 Corinthians 1:24 (ESV)

   2. Proverbs 8:33

December 16, 2025

Broadcast

                       Are You the One? - Part 2
                            Matthew 11:4-6
                              12/16/2025

        4    And Jesus answered them, ``Go and tell John what
             you hear and see:
        5    the blind receive their sight and the lame walk,
             lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the
             dead are raised up, and the poor have good news
             preached to them.
        6    And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.
             (ESV)

        John the Baptizer sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ``Are you
   the one who is to come or shall we look for another?''
        And Jesus answered them, ``Go and tell John what you
        hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the
        lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and
        the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news
        preached to them.  And blessed is the one who is not
        offended by me.


        Jesus pointed the disciples to the prophecies of the Old
   Testament, to the writing of Isaiah.[1] The objective proof that
   Jesus is the long-promised Redeemer is found in the inspired,
   inerrant Word of God.  Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of His
   first coming, even as He fulfilled His work of redemption by
   dying and rising again for our salvation.

        John the Baptizer told those who came to be baptized,
   ``Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.''[2] His message
   of repentance, his call to prepare for the coming of the Savior,
   resounds to this day.  Because of the death and resurrection of
   Jesus, your sins are forgiven.  This Christ, to whom Isaiah
   pointed, died and rose to pay the price of our transgressions.
   He is the one who is to come for our redemption.

        May our Lord grant that we hear the voice of John for our
   eternal blessing.  Amen.

December 15, 2025

Broadcast

                       Are You the One? - Part 1
                            Matthew 11:2-3
                              12/15/2025

        2    Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of
             the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
        3    and said to him, ``Are you the one who is to come,
             or shall we look for another?''  (ESV)

        Is Jesus truly the long-promised Redeemer of the world, the
   Messiah, the Christ?  The forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptizer,
   sent his disciples to Jesus to ask this question.

        Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the
        Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him,
        ``Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for
        another?''


        Had John, who declared that Jesus is the ``Lamb of God who
   takes away the sins of the world,'' who confessed that Jesus is
   the Son of God, lost his faith?  John wanted his disciples, who
   were jealous of Jesus' success, to hear from Him that He is
   indeed the one promised by God through the prophets.

        This question is the same question each of us also asks.  If
   Jesus is not the Messiah, the One promised by God to crush
   Satan's head, then what is our hope?  Are we still waiting for
   the long-promised Savior?

        John the Baptizer knew the answer to the question.  He
   pointed to Jesus as the Savior.  Even to the end of his life,
   John desired that this truth be known by all people.  The kingdom
   of heaven is at hand.

        May our Lord grant that we hear the words of John and truly
   see that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah.  Amen.

December 12, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 5
                             Luke 21:34-36
                              12/12/2025

        34   But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed
             down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of
             this life, and that day come upon you suddenly
             like a trap.
        35   For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of
             the whole earth.
        36   But stay awake at all times, praying that you may
             have strength to escape all these things that are
             going to take place, and to stand before the Son
             of Man.  (ESV)

        Jesus was teaching His disciples about the judgment of all
   people at the end of the age.  His warning was not only for His
   disciples, but for all people of all time.

        But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down
        with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this
        life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
        For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the
        whole earth.  But stay awake at all times, praying that
        you may have strength to escape all these things that
        are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of
        Man.


        How do we prepare for our Lord's return?  We know that our
   faith is God's gracious gift which He gives us through His Holy
   Word and the sacraments of baptism, the Lord's Supper, and
   absolution.  God's Word clearly tells us that our hope of the
   forgiveness of our sins lies only in Christ Jesus.  Whoever
   believes in Him as the only-begotten Son of God who was
   crucified, died, and risen for our sake, has the promise of
   everlasting life.

        The Christian faith is not about our good works, although we
   do many good works as a response of our faith.  The Christian
   faith is about Jesus dying and rising again to pay the price of
   our sin.  The Christian faith is about God's love.

        Please allow Trinity Lutheran Church to help you prepare for
   our Lord's coming as the righteous Judge by joining us each
   Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. to learn more of God's mercy.

        May our Lord grant you wisdom and faith to hear and trust in
   Christ Jesus alone.  Amen.

December 11, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 4
                             Luke 21:34-36
                              12/11/2025

        34   But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed
             down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of
             this life, and that day come upon you suddenly
             like a trap.
        35   For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of
             the whole earth.
        36   But stay awake at all times, praying that you may
             have strength to escape all these things that are
             going to take place, and to stand before the Son
             of Man.  (ESV)

        Jesus was teaching His disciples about the judgment of all
   people at the end of the age.  His warning was not only for His
   disciples, but for all people of all time.

        But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down
        with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this
        life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
        For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the
        whole earth.  But stay awake at all times, praying that
        you may have strength to escape all these things that
        are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of
        Man.


        We all take to heart the Boy Scout motto, ``Be Prepared.''
   This time of year we keep a blanket and food and a shovel in the
   car, not that we expect to be stranded, but in case that happens.
   We stock up on the non-perishable items that we may need in case
   of a blizzard.  Many have a backup generator to power their
   houses in the event of an electrical outage.

        In the same way we prepare for winter, we should prepare for
   the coming of Christ Jesus to judge the living and the dead.  Our
   preparation is not by having candles and matches and extra food,
   but in reading, learning, and hearing about God's rich grace,
   love, and mercy.  We prepare for Jesus' second coming by
   acknowledging that He is here, even now, with those who have
   faith in Him.

        May our Lord grant us wisdom to hear His Word and to believe
   it.  Amen.