Sermon -- Advent Vespers (December 12, 2012).

LUKE 11:17-20

THY KINGDOM COME…

…To Put Down the Devil’s Kingdom.

     The Lord has taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come.”  But if the Lord’s kingdom must come to us, that means that we are not automatically in it.  And that is, indeed, the case.  The world is the LORD’s…and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1), but Satan seized it back in the Garden of Eden.  Once he coaxed Adam and Eve into defying God’s will and into doing his bidding, the devil laid claim to this world.  All people are conceived and born in sin – with hearts and minds bent on wickedness.  We are the devil’s offspring and we do the devil’s works.  That is not a flattering image, and it is a wretched judgment, but it is what the Lord says: “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.” (1 John 3:8) 

     We have made a practice of sinning.  In fact, we cannot stop ourselves from sinning.  Our selfishness affects our actions and our love grows cold.  Our jealousy affects our thoughts and we assign the worst motives to others.  Our bitterness affects our words and we speak with condescension and sarcasm – “Hello!?”  We live in a world which shows little patience, kindness, and mercy, and we have adopted its practice.  We do not follow God’s will, and it steams us when God demands that we must.  We do not want God to be God to us.  We want him to answer to us.  This is precisely what Satan got Adam and Eve to believe, and this is how he got them to eat the fruit God had forbidden with a curse.  We still crave the forbidden fruit.  The curse still stands.  Satan is still the prince of this world.  And we are still doing his works.

     But Jesus came to overthrow Satan and his kingdom.  St. John wrote, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)  Jesus demonstrated his overthrow of Satan throughout his ministry.  As soon as Jesus was baptized, Satan tempted him in the wilderness.  Jesus overcame him every time.  The kingdom of God overcame the kingdom of the devil.  When Jesus came across demon-possessed men, he neither desired nor needed the confession of demons.  Therefore, Jesus commanded them to not testify that he is the Son of God.  The kingdom of God overruled the kingdom of the devil.  To free those who were possessed, Jesus exorcised the demons from them.  They had to submit to the divine commands of the Son of God.  The kingdom of God overran the kingdom of the devil. 

     Now, that proves that Jesus is divine and that his word has authority.  It proves that Jesus is stronger than the devil and that his rule will stand.  But you will only be comforted by this news if you know that Jesus’ might, authority, and rule are done for you.  If they are not, you are still in Satan’s kingdom.  You are still lost.  But Jesus has come not just to demonstrate superiority over the devil, but to free you from him.  And so we pray, “Thy kingdom come,” so that he will put down the devil’s kingdom.

     Jesus revealed that the kingdom of God had come by casting out devils from those who were possessed.  Jesus’ enemies accused him of being in league with the devil in order to deceive people.  Jesus highlighted the folly of their argument.  How does Satan gain an advantage by having demons cast out of people?  That means he has lost control.  But if it is the finger of God at work casting out demons, then the kingdom of God has come.  And that is why Jesus had come: to put down the devil’s kingdom, to cast out Satan, and to rescue those who have been held captive by him.

     To do this, Jesus made an exchange.  He substituted himself for you.  He let Satan accuse, condemn and kill him.  He has taken up every accusation that Satan could level at anyone.  He suffered all the taunting and jeering and mockery that Satan’s offspring could hurl at him.  When Jesus stood on trial, he did not bother to refute any of the charges.  He let all accusations stick.  When he was mocked and taunted, Jesus offered no retort.  He refused none of your sin, but silently suffered in your place.  He willingly died under God’s curse for you.  This is how Satan tried to lay permanent claim to you – by killing off your Savior once and for all.

     Yes, Jesus was put to death – but not as a victim claimed by Satan.  Jesus was the innocent, sacrificial victim, the Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world.  His condemnation means that all guilt has been taken from you.  His death means that all punishment has been removed from you.  The Lord has only blessing left for you.  Satan hoped to claim the whole world by taking Jesus.  But Jesus ended up atoning for the sins of the world by his death.  And then, not even death could hold him.  Jesus rose from the grave to claim you from Satan.  He has put out the kingdom of the devil and he has established his kingdom as your eternal refuge.

     Jesus’ kingdom has come, and he brought you into it when you were baptized.  On that day, the finger of God, the Holy Spirit, touched you and drove out the unclean spirit from you.  You have been cleansed of your sin, and the Holy Spirit dwells in its place.  That is why you flee from the practice of sinning.  You no longer crave what the Lord forbids, knowing that it means banishment and a curse and death.  But what God gives you freely and generously means blessing and life in his kingdom.

     You pray, “Thy kingdom come,” so that you have a faithful shepherd-King who instructs you, guides you, and protects you day after day.  And though you still succumb to temptation and fall into sin, your loving King corrects you and works repentance in you.  You despise yourself for your sins, for you do not want to be the devil’s lackey.  You are a child of God and you want to live like it.  And if you despise what is of the devil and love what is holy, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

     Jesus’ kingdom has come; for he has put down the devil’s kingdom.  Satan no longer owns you.  He does not control you.  His kingdom has been put down.  Now you dwell in God’s kingdom.  Oh, the devil will still scoff at you and try to torment you with doubt and guilt.  But do not fear him.  Do not give him a moment of your time.  Have you sinned?  Sure.  Acknowledge it.  And then tell Satan to ask Jesus what he has done with your sins.  And he will flee from you.  For, Jesus drives out the devil and all the fear, guilt, doubt, and afflictions he would bring to your soul.

     God’s kingdom has come to you, and the devil’s kingdom has been put down.  Now you are free to serve and to live without fear.  You don’t have to go about your life wondering if God is pleased with you or what it will take to make God pleased with you.  Jesus has set you free from such fears.  Jesus reigns; his word is supreme.  And he tells you that God is pleased with you.  He has delivered you into his kingdom so that you may dwell as his own in joy and peace now and for all eternity.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Sermon -- 2nd Sunday in Advent (December 9, 2012)

PHILIPPIANS 1:3-11

YOU SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Adam and Eve saw the goodness of God.  He granted them every blessing in the Garden.   But rather than live in righteousness and innocence, Adam and Eve chose rebellion and guilt.  As soon as they plunged themselves into ruin and death, the Lord promised a Savior who would bring restoration and life.  The Lord had begun a good work – proclaiming that there was hope for those covered in guilt and marked for death.  Adam and Eve rejoiced in that promise and hope.  They also repeated God’s promises to their sons and daughters and subsequent generations.  But when Adam and Eve finally died, it was still a promise.  They had heard God’s promise, but they had not seen God’s salvation. 

     That’s the way it continued for centuries.  God repeated his promise.  God added more and more detail to his promise.  The people heard about the Savior who would come, but they would not see the Lord’s salvation.  Finally, the Lord raised up John the Baptist – “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.   Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” (Luke 3:4-6)

     John was called to prepare the people for the Savior.  Therefore, John urged the people to repent.  John warned the people to flee from their sins.  The world promises that your sins will bring you nothing but good times; but the Lord warns that you will only find death there.  If you delight in your sins, you will never see God’s salvation.  You may know about Jesus, his death, his resurrection, and even the promises of eternal life; but if you cling to your sins, you will never see God’s salvation.  It will elude you.

     That is why John the Baptist called people to repent with such great urgency.  Let nothing stand in the way of Jesus’ coming to you.  Remove the obstacles.  Fill in the gaps.  Straighten out whatever is crooked.  Do not be comfortable with your sins.  Do not find excuses for them, much less to continue in them.  Repent.

     John called the people to prepare for the Lord with repentance.  The Lord’s salvation was nigh.  The Lord would complete the salvation he had promised, and all who humble themselves would receive it.  When you confess your sin, you are merely acknowledging that God’s word is true.  Each of us must confess: “I am wrong.  I have sinned.  It is my fault, my own fault, my own grievous fault.”  Confess your sins and hold God to his promises.  This also acknowledges that God’s word is true.  He does have mercy.  He forgives sins.  He demonstrated his loving compassion through Jesus – his innocent life, his sacrificial death, and his resurrection from the dead.  Jesus not only fulfilled these things, he fulfilled them for you.  Therefore, you have been shown mercy.  You are forgiven of your sins.  You have seen God’s salvation.

     The Philippian congregation had seen the Lord’s salvation.  They believed in all that Jesus had done, and they believed that it was done for them.  St. Paul wrote to them, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)  St. Paul rejoiced that God had brought these people into his kingdom.  They had repented of their sin.  They had confessed the faith.  But that did not mean they were in heaven yet.  For the Philippians, bearing Jesus’ name meant also wearing a target.  In addition to the struggles against their own lustful flesh, they also had to contend with other Philippians who despised Jesus.  They faced ridicule of strangers, rejection of friendships, physical harm, and material loss.  While confessing the faith brought much joy, it also resulted in much hardship.  St. Paul knew the hardships they would face.  He had originally been driven out Philippi for preaching the gospel.  After St. Paul left, he wondered if the Philippians had continued to seek the Lord’s salvation or if they turned their back on him.

     St. Paul expressed such thanks and love for the Philippians because not only had the Philippians seen the salvation of God, but God had also graciously seen to it that they still sought God’s mercy and love.  God had begun a good work in them when he brought them into his grace.  And God was continuing his good work in them—not only sustaining their faith, but strengthening it as well. 

     St. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is the prayer of the Church for all of its members: It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)  You have seen the salvation of God, and it is God’s desire that you remain in his salvation.

     Therefore, the Lord builds you up in your Christian faith.  He teaches you to discern what is good and what is evil.  He fills you with the fruits of righteousness so that you delight in what is good and despise what is evil.  You know your own sinful flesh.  It leads you to crave what is evil.  Because of it, on good days you are lazy about the word of the Lord.  You wonder if it is worth hearing the word and receiving the Lord’s Supper.  You wonder if it is worth trying to exercise self-control.  You wonder if anyone really cares that you are doing what is good.  You see the examples of so many others whose lives appear to be just fine without church or prayer or faith.  Your sinful nature still wants to drag you away from Christ, and your sinful nature can still get the better of you.

     That is why you still need to seek after God’s salvation.  You still need his mercy.  The good work which God began in you must be continued and increased.  He brings you to repent of your sin—not just your sinful words and actions, but of the very sin that dwells in you.  You confess with St. Paul, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.” (Romans 7:18)  You will only find your salvation and your righteousness from outside of you.

     You will see the salvation of God only in Jesus.  He reminds you that all the Lord has done for you is for you.  He supplies the holiness.  He pours out his mercy and forgiveness.  He grants new life and increases the love of God within you.  The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ.  And he continues to come to you in his promises and in his absolution.  He builds you up as he feeds you with sacred food and as you ingest his salvation for your forgiveness and for the strengthening of your faith.  This faith the Lord puts to work in your life so that you do not give in to your sinful flesh or temptations.  Rather, you continue in the faith—both in what you confess and in how you live, knowing that God’s will is right and good no matter what anyone else thinks or does or tells you. 

     Jesus began a good work in you when he revealed his salvation to you.  And Jesus continues this good work in you so that you remain in his salvation.  Cling to Jesus and be confident in this: that he who began a good work in you will keep you holy and blameless until the day he comes back.  For, God is faithful; and he will do it.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. 

Sermon -- Advent Vepsers, Week 1 (December 5, 2012)

ROMANS 15:18-19

THY KINGDOM COME…

…Through the Word and the Spirit’s Power.

In the name + of Jesus.

            I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:18-19)

     During Advent, we anticipate the coming of Jesus.  And whenever we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we plead for his kingdom to come.  When we think of the kingdom of Jesus, we ponder the benefits that come to us who dwell in his kingdom.  Perhaps we think in particular of heavenly glory.  While that is certainly included in the kingdom of God, the kingdom of God is not limited to heaven.  You already dwell in the kingdom of God.  You are already receiving its benefits.

     The kingdom of God is not as easy to recognize as worldly kingdoms.  We can locate worldly kingdoms by flags and rulers and borders.  But Jesus taught us, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)  The kingdom of God cannot be seen.  Instead, we confess, “I believe in the holy, Christian Church.”  So, if it cannot be seen, we are left to wonder how it can come to us.

     St. Paul declared how, through him, the Lord advanced his kingdom around the Mediterranean world.  He wrote, “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:18-19)  God’s kingdom comes through the Word and the Spirit’s power.

     As it often happens with worldly kingdoms, the Lord’s kingdom also had to be established through the shedding of blood and the slaying of human life.  The Lord, however, did not have you fight your own way in.  Jesus fought singlehandedly for you.  The battle scene was Mt. Calvary.  There, the Lamb of God was slain.  There, the Son of God spilled his blood.  There, Jesus took all of your sin and put an end to divine wrath, eternal death, and any demonic onslaught against your soul.  Jesus suffered in your place—dying for your sins, receiving your condemnation, and enduring your torment.  By his sufferings and death, Jesus established his kingdom.

     But victory was emphatically declared when Jesus rose from the dead.  Jesus’ resurrection proves that the blood he shed for you was not a waste, but was sufficient payment to redeem you.  Since Jesus is risen, his word of forgiveness absolves you of sin.  He speaks, and the grave must give up its dead.  The devil may try to taunt you, but Jesus’ word overrules him.  Satan must shut up.  Jesus lives and reigns.  He has authority over all things.  Jesus’ kingdom endures forever.  His word stands for all time.  Therefore, when you pray, “Thy Kingdom Come,” your prayer is not that Jesus will reign—for he already does.  Rather, you pray that you will be included in his kingdom and receive his benefits.

     How, then, does God’s kingdom come?  God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives his Holy Spirit, so that by his grace we believe his holy Word and lead a godly life now on earth and forever in heaven. (Luther’s Small Catechism)  

     God’s kingdom comes by the Word and the Spirit’s power.  For St. Paul, the Spirit’s power was seen in miraculous signs and wonders.  The Gospel of our Lord was being preached around the world, but it had not yet been penned.  Therefore, the Lord confirmed the word of the apostles with miraculous signs, as Jesus had promised (cf. Mark 16:20). 

     No longer should we expect to see miraculous signs to confirm God’s word.  Though miraculous signs accompanied the apostles’ teaching, Jesus did not send them out to dazzle.  He send them to preach the gospel.  They have fulfilled their duty.  They have recorded the words and works of Jesus.  It is through the Word that the Holy Spirit works.  It is through the Word that the Holy Spirit reveals a merciful Savior and delivers you into a blessed kingdom.

     The Lord’s kingdom comes through the Word and the Spirit’s power.  The Spirit’s power is demonstrated by the fact that God has worked faith in your heart.  The Spirit’s power is evident in the fact that you no longer delight in your sins, but instead are ashamed of them and no longer want anything to do with them.  The Spirit’s power is made known in that he has come to you who were dead in sin and made you alive in Christ.  He has converted you from being enemies of God into beloved citizens of God’s kingdom who are eager to do God’s will.  By God’s grace, the Spirit is at work in you so that you lead a godly life.

     St. Paul wrote, “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done….” (Romans 15:18)  Our Lord God advances his kingdom wherever his word is preached and his sacraments are administered.  That is where he creates in you a clean heart and renews in you a right spirit, producing joyful obedience in you.  He fills you with the desire and the strength to serve your neighbor – whether he appreciates it or not; to have mercy on your fellow man – because he is way too stressed about a season that is supposed to bring peace; to console those who grieve – because you have been given words that soothe; to encourage those who are ready to quit the faith – because you know what it is like to be weak and know that the Lord alone provides strength and sustains faith; and to pray for everyone – because often it is God alone who knows how they are hurting and God alone who can bring them hope and peace.

     Citizens of other kingdoms will rally to a flag, knowing that it stands for the protection and blessings their ruler will give.  You also rally where the Lord bestows his protection and blessings.  So cling to the place that he bestows that kingdom upon you.  Flock to the altar to receive his body and blood.  For, there is forgiveness.  Yearn to hear his word proclaimed.  For, there is salvation.  Return daily to your baptism—killing your sin in repentance so that God will raise you up a new creation.  For, there is strength for godly living.  There is the Spirit’s power, keeping you safe from sin, death, and the devil.

     As eagerly as you pray the prayer, “Thy Kingdom Come,” so freely God answers it.  His kingdom comes through the Word and the Spirit’s power.  Jesus has brought you into his kingdom by faith.  And soon, Jesus will deliver you to the gates of heaven where you will see the glories of his kingdom with your own eyes.  And though you may not see the glory now with your own eyes, the blessings are surely yours already.  You are free from sin, death, and Satan; and there is no greater freedom.  You have received God’s love and God’s salvation; and there are no greater blessings.  The blessings of the kingdom are yours; for you are his.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Advent Season

We have entered a new church year and the season of Advent.  Advent means "coming," and we consider two "comings" of Jesus.  Naturally, we think of his coming at Christmas.  The deadline is on the calendar already -- three short weeks from today!

But we especially think of Jesus' second coming when he will deliver us from all evil and bring us into his glorious, perfect, peaceful, everlasting kingdom.  The joy Jesus brought at his first coming makes us yearn for his second coming.  He has taken away our sins and has, therefore, prepared us for his kingdom.

As we await the coming of our Lord, we prepare.  We keep watch.  We wait with prayer and humility. 

We will also use this Advent season to slow down for a moment on Wednesday evenings for vespers.  December is hectic enough.  Vespers lets us meditate, pray, and focus on Christ.  This year's Advent Vespers has the theme: "THY KINGDOM COME."  We will remember that Christ's kingdom comes ...
          ... through his word and the Spirit's power. (December 5)
          ... to put down the devil's kingdom. (December 12)
          ... so that sin, death, and hell may be exterminated. (December 19)

A supper will be served at 6:00 PM.
Vespers begins at 7:00 PM.

Sermon -- 1st Sunday in Advent (December 2, 2012)

LUKE 21:25-36

YOUR REDEMPTION IS NEAR!

In the name + of Jesus.

     We have begun a new church year, marching into the season of Advent.  Advent means “coming,” and it is easy to think of Jesus’ coming into the world at Christmas time.  We can’t help but think that with the stores having Christmas displays, with homes decorated for the season, and with Christmas songs playing some radio stations.  The world is already celebrating.  The Church, however, waits.  We anticipate December 25 not as a deadline to be met or a goal line to be crossed, but a day when our celebration actually begins.  Until then, the Church prays.  The Church repents and prepares.  And, in fact, we give our attention to a different coming.  And while it surely approaches, we do not know what day to circle on the calendar for its arrival.  Dear Christians, Jesus is coming.  Your redemption is near! 

     The picture Jesus paints for his second coming hardly makes a good image for a Christmas card.  It is downright dismal.  Perhaps it is even frightening.  Jesus says, “And there will be signs in the 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.” (Luke 21:25-26)  

     Jesus makes it sound like the world will be falling apart.  In fact, it is; but that should not surprise us.  Sin has corrupted not only mankind, but all creation as well.  And when sin comes, so does death.  So the world that we live in is dying.  It is slowly winding down.  Things are going from a state of order to disorder.  We need not be alarmed by any of this.  The evidence has been in front of us for generations.  Every natural disaster is the result of a sin-corrupted world.  All kinds of diseases and mutated genes are the result of a sin-corrupted world.  While we are thankful for the advances in medicine that can help us deal with various diseases and disorders, they cannot cure everything.  And new medicines are always needed because genes mutate into new strains of disease.  You need not faint from fear.  For your Lord is coming.  Your redemption is near.

     We are often frightened at the idea that Jesus is coming again and that the world as we know it will be destroyed.  We are familiar with this world.  We enjoy its blessings.  We often regard this world as our home.  As a result, we find ourselves loving the world and everything in it.  Like Lot’s wife, we are not willing to depart from it or see it destroyed.  But St. John warns us: “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires….” (1 John 2:15-17)  While God has given us blessings in this world, it also has its problems and frustrations, trials and temptations.  The effects of sin taint even our best days.  The effects of sin cause us pain and sorrow, heartache and grief, bitterness and frustration, and finally death.  Why would you love such a place as this?

     The world will continue to be ungodly.  God’s patience will run out.  The Last Day is coming.  And all of the devastation in our world is a sign that the end is near.  But you need not fear.  “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)  The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again to judge the living and the dead.  All will stand before him.  “For [the Last Day] will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.” (Luke 21:35)  You will not escape it.  You will not miss it.

     Usually, the prospect of Judgment Day scares people, even Christians.  After all, your conscience testifies that your judgment will not be good.  You’ve sinned, and you cannot deny it.  Fear not.  For the Lord who is coming to judge the living and the dead has already come for you once.  He came to redeem you from sin.  The price of your redemption was the holy blood and righteous life of God the Son.  God became man so that he could die for you and so that he could conquer death for you.  So Jesus has redeemed you from sin and death.  Sin cannot condemn you.  Jesus paid for it, and you have been baptized into Jesus.  Death cannot hold you.  Jesus nullified it and has made you children of the resurrection.

     When Jesus comes again in a cloud with power and great glory, many will tremble at the sight of him.  They have no answer for their lives.  But Jesus answers for you.  And he is coming for you.  He who conquered death for you will raise you from the dead.  He who ascended to heaven to prepare a place for you is coming to deliver you to that place.  Your redemption is drawing near.

     When Jesus does come, he will finally deliver you to a life that is free from any form of sin or evil.  In this world, you know both blessings and troubles.  Jesus is coming to deliver you to a world that is void of any troubles.  Never again will you know fear or frustration or bitterness or disappointment or sadness or pain or death.  You will only have blessing and peace and joy and life.  These are the kinds of things we pray for.  You do not have to dream about it; you only have to wait for it.  While many in this world are fearful because the world is falling apart, not so with you.   “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28) 

     Meanwhile, “…watch yourselves….  Stay awake—that is, be alert—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.” (Luke 21:34,36)  Satan will use every means in his arsenal to distract you from your Savior.  He will surely try to seduce you, appealing to your desire to indulge your sinful flesh with every sinful pleasure your flesh craves.  The world will always seek to lure you away from Jesus, promising you that giving into temptation always means a good time.  Satan knows that you would rather party than repent.  The world wants you to celebrate with drunkenness and debauchery.  It mocks humility, modesty, and self-control.  Therefore, Jesus warns you: Be alert.  Repent.  Pray.  Do not be deceived by Satan; he has been cast down.  Do not envy the world; it is marked for destruction.  And do not fear the world’s demise.  You have been redeemed from it.  You have a much better and more glorious future waiting.

     Jesus is coming.  Your redemption is near.  But until he comes on the Last Day, Jesus comes to you at this altar.  He gives you his body and blood to sustain you in all of your trials, to strengthen you against temptation, and to forgive you when you have demonstrated your weaknesses against these things.  This is where Jesus provides relief from your guilt and redemption for your life.  This is where you find your comfort and your salvation.  The feast you enjoy here will be yours for all eternity. 

     Your redemption is near.  You will soon be delivered from demons that taunt and accuse.  You will soon be delivered from a world that deceives and disappoints.  You will be delivered from all disaster and disease, from all pain and sorrow, from bitterness and rage, from death and despair.  Jesus will bring you to everlasting joy, uninterrupted peace, and eternal blessings.  Lift up your heads.  Jesus is coming soon, for it is Advent.  Your redemption is near.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Christmas carols (secular) -- the Gold Standard

CHRISTMAS CAROLS!!!

The versions of these songs are the gold standard for secular Christmas music.  While others have also taken a shot at recording these songs, and some of those versions may be good, these are the best versions produced.  Convince me otherwise.  Feel free to add your own selections.

 

Criteria of selections.

1.  These are secular pieces.  Sacred music is entirely its own category, and sacred selections are sung best as a congregation.
2.  These are songs that have been sung, sung again, and sung again by various artists.  For example, I don’t know if anyone has re-recorded “Merry Christmas, Darling” by the Carpenters. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I ; footage from a Christmas special).  If it has been redone, the Carpenters are the gold standard.
3.  Some songs, in my opinion, have yet to find their gold standard.
4.  Some songs won’t have a gold standard.  Ever. (Sorry, “I Saw Mommy Kissing santa Claus.”  Go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsat4e8jgHA for the worst version of the worst Christmas song ever.  (I am willing to listen to other entries for bad Christmas songs, but that’s another blog entry.)
5.  Instrumental versions and lyrical versions may have different gold standards.

 

Caroling, Caroling – Nat King Cole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFSPGIHjak8

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) – Nat King Cole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQ1PCP6B0   (Recorded on TV special)

White Christmas – Bing Crosby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJSUT8Inl14

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Johnny Mathis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYTnzNeTWmE

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtb3EtjEic

Happy Holidays – Andy Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSfzvrtgsSE

Holly, Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up1t5siifEw

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ara3-hDH6I

The Little Drummer Boy – The Harry Simeone Chorale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT1fA59oH7Q

Sleigh Ride (Instrumental) – Leroy Anderson & the Boston Pops

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuSl9PKx6M4

Here We Come A-Caroling – Ray Conniff Singers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71js6tQr334

We Need a Little Christmas – Percy Faith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDaDopTFRoU

O Tannenbaum (instrumental) – Vince Guaraldi Trio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw6h4mZO1oU

NOTE: I don’t think Nat King Cole and the Ray Conniff Singers have produced a bad version of any Christmas song.  Perhaps add Bing Crosby.  These should be essential additions to anyone’s Christmas CD’s (or iPod’s, for those more technologically advanced that me).

Local Tourist -- Town Square, Plymouth, MI

 

Today, our Local Tourist visits the town square in Plymouth, MI.  It has been lit up with trees throughout the town square.  While pretty, they are all done in memory of someone who has died.