* A TRADITION TO RE-ESTABLISH? Last Christmas one of our pastors put out, via an e-mail message, the following word of encouragement to his brothers in the CLC ministry. The good words speak to us all– As we approach the Christmas holydays, I would like to encourage preaching on the Incarnation and its meaning. It’s… Read More »Month Archive Read More
Year/Month: 1999/12
“That We Might have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) First Samuel Chapters Seventeen To Twenty David and Jonathan: A Formula for Friendship This past summer I had the privilege of speaking at my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. The number of relatives present may have been impressive, but what struck me was the number of friends. One can… Read More »Month Archive Read More
Luke 14:25-35 Cost-Counting The scenario is all too familiar. A young person with no significant or permanent income source is bombarded with almost irresistible offers from the credit card companies. “Buy now, pay later” is simply too tempting to resist, and the spending spree begins. The joyride is wonderful, until the harsh reality of burdensome… Read More »Month Archive Read More
The Year of our Lord 2000 From the Editor: Thanks once again to Pastor Roland H. Gurgel (Faith, Nicollet and Faith, New Ulm, Minn.) for these daily Bible readings. For the year drawing to a close Pastor Gurgel matched daily Scripture readings with hymn stanzas. He then used these devotional suggestions as “text” to write… Read More »Month Archive Read More
Now Are the Days Fulfilled A Christmas Hymn #99 in The Lutheran Hymnal The author of this month’s hymn is unknown, but the words of Scripture his hymn call to mind are familiar: “But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His son . . . ” (Gal. 4:4). That first Christmas… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“There is no hidden meaning to Christmas; no deeper meaning than what the Father has Himself put in it. . . . “ An Unencumbered Christmas What would Christmas be were it an unencumbered Christmas? We will never know. Think of it: Christmas planning Christmas cards Christmas tree shopping or cutting Christmas decorating Christmas baking… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). On the first day of creation God made light and divided light from darkness. On the fourth day He created… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). “The king is coming!” This announcement was received with mixed feelings in olden times. If the… Read More »Month Archive Read More
“With the many dollars that are spent these days for presents, decorations, etc., would the modern-day family feel like it was celebrating Christmas if it had only the meager earthly supplies of the old-fashioned Christmas? . . . ” Who among us has not enjoyed sitting down and listening to our parents, grandparents, or even… Read More »Month Archive Read More