Category: Turn Your Radio On 2025

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.

December 10, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 3
                             Luke 21:29-33
                              12/10/2025

        29   And he told them a parable: ``Look at the fig
             tree, and all the trees.
        30   As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for
             yourselves and know that the summer is already
             near.
        31   So also, when you see these things taking place,
             you know that the kingdom of God is near.
        32   Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass
             away until all has taken place.
        33   Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will
             not pass away.''  (ESV)

        Jesus was teaching His disciples about the judgment of all
   people at the end of the age.  Although He did not tell the
   disciples exactly when this would happen, He told them of various
   signs which will point to the end of days.

        And he told them a parable: ``Look at the fig tree, and
        all the trees.  As soon as they come out in leaf, you
        see for yourselves and know that the summer is already
        near.  So also, when you see these things taking place,
        you know that the kingdom of God is near.  Truly, I say
        to you, this generation will not pass away until all
        has taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but
        my words will not pass away.''


        We prepare for our Lord's return, we prepare for our own
   last day, by hearing and trusting in His Word.  The Word of God
   explains that we, of our own reason and strength, cannot live in
   a way that assures us of eternal life with our heavenly Father.
   The Word tells us that the Father sent His Son to die in our
   place, to pay the debt of our guilt, to conquer death and the
   grave.  His resurrection is a foretaste of our own resurrection.

        Today is the day of your salvation.  We do not and cannot
   know when He will return again.  We do not and cannot know when
   we will fall asleep awaiting the final trumpet sound.  Therefore,
   prepare, even as you prepare for the changing seasons.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hear His Word, to believe it,
   and to know that our hope is only in Him.  Amen.

December 9, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 2
                             Luke 21:25-28
                              12/09/2025

        25   And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars,
             and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity
             because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
        26   people fainting with fear and with foreboding of
             what is coming on the world.  For the powers of
             the heavens will be shaken.
        27   And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a
             cloud with power and great glory.
        28   Now when these things begin to take place,
             straighten up and raise your heads, because your
             redemption is drawing near.  (ESV)

        It was Tuesday of Holy Week, several days before Jesus was
   crucified, that He and His disciples took a break while walking
   from Jerusalem to Bethany.  There, while sitting on the Mount of
   Olives, the disciples marveled at the beauty of the city and
   temple.  Jesus told them the city and temple would be destroyed.

        And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and
        on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because
        of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people
        fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is
        coming on the world.  For the powers of the heavens
        will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of Man
        coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when
        these things begin to take place, straighten up and
        raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing
        near.


        Those who do not know Christ Jesus, those who rely on their
   own reason, strength, and abilities, will be left trembling and
   fearful at the signs of Jesus' return.  Christians, on the other
   hand, believe that God is ultimately in control, that the changes
   on earth and in the heavens are a sign that Jesus is coming to
   take the faithful to their heavenly Father's home.

        Faith in Christ Jesus gives us a new perspective which helps
   us deal with the very real and frightening problems of this life.
   Yet, for the sake of Christ, we know the end of the story as we
   await life in the mansions of heaven.

        May our Lord grant us faith to trust in Him, to hold to His
   promise of life everlasting.  Amen.

December 8, 2025

Broadcast

                        Things to Come - Part 1
                             Luke 21:25-27
                              12/08/2025

        25   And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars,
             and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity
             because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
        26   people fainting with fear and with foreboding of
             what is coming on the world.  For the powers of
             the heavens will be shaken.
        27   And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a
             cloud with power and great glory.  (ESV)

        We prepare for the second coming of Jesus by looking at His
   first coming, and by looking at how He comes to the Church today.
   This season of Advent reminds us to prepare, for just as the
   people were surprised at Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection,
   so will they be surprised at His return to judge the living and
   the dead.

        The historic Gospel lesson for the second Sunday in Advent
   gives both a warning and hope.  We are reminded that our Lord's
   return will be a calamity for most of the world, yet that those
   who have not rejected Him have a reason to rejoice.

        And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and
        on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because
        of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people
        fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is
        coming on the world.  For the powers of the heavens
        will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of Man
        coming in a cloud with power and great glory.


        We are in the last times and have been since Jesus ascended
   into heaven.  The apostles and Evangelists expected Him to return
   in their lifetime, and every succeeding generation felt they
   would be the last.

        Do we see a greater fear worldwide caused, in part, by
   better communication?  Does our science cause us to tremble as we
   try to decode the meaning of climate observations, the shift of
   tectonic plates, and increased natural disasters?  Jesus' words
   have power today, even as they had power when He spoke them on
   the Tuesday before He was betrayed.

        May our Lord grant us faith to hold firmly to Christ Jesus
   so that we may understand the changes and chances of this world.
   Amen.

December 5, 2025

Broadcast

                       A New Beginning - Part 5
                           Matthew 21:10-11
                              12/05/2025

        10   And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was
             stirred up, saying, ``Who is this?''
        11   And the crowds said, ``This is the prophet Jesus,
             from Nazareth of Galilee.''  (ESV)

        We are at the beginning of the new Church Year.  As we
   prepare to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus, to commemorate His
   birth in Bethlehem as foretold by the prophets, we confess our
   faith.  For the next year we will answer the question posed by
   the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

        And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was
        stirred up, saying, ``Who is this?''  And the crowds
        said, ``This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of
        Galilee.''


        How does this story play out?  This Jesus, who rode into
   Jerusalem to bear our sins and to be our Savior, remains with His
   Church through Word and Sacrament.  He is with us also through
   the Holy Office of the ministry, where His called and ordained
   servants act in His place and on His behalf to serve His people.

        Christ Jesus came into Jerusalem in the flesh.  Christ Jesus
   comes into the Church in grace.  Christ Jesus is coming again in
   glory.

        This is a new beginning.  In honor of the new year, in
   celebration of our Lord's grace in allowing you the opportunity
   to receive His gifts of mercy, please join us at Trinity Lutheran
   Church each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. to learn more of this Jesus.
   During Advent, we also gather at noon and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays
   in honor of this season.

        May our Lord grant you a blessed Advent as you prepare to
   celebrate Jesus Christ, true God and true man, born to redeem you
   from sin and death.  Amen.