THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS – CHRISTMAS II LESSON: LUKE 2:15-20 They made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child. Luke 2:17 The faith of the shepherds produced action. St. Paul says, “The kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20. So also here. The…

CHRISTMAS DAY – CHRISTMAS LESSON: LUKE 2:1-14 In that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were filled with fear. And that angel said to them, “Be…

ADVENT – WEEK 4 – TUESDAY LESSON: MALACHI 4:1-6 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, I am not.” John 1:21 In the question whether John was Elijah, the Jews were evidently referring to the prophecy of Malachi. I am of the opinion that Malachi had in mind no other Elijah…

ADVENT – WEEK 4 – MONDAY LESSON: 1 JOHN 1:5-10 He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” John 1:20 The confession of John contains two parts: first, that he confesses; secondly, that he does not deny. His confession is the confession of Christ when he says that he is…

ADVENT – WEEK 4 – SUNDAY LESSON: JOHN 1:19-28 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” John 1:19 What were the Jews from Jerusalem seeking? Christ tells us when He says, “You sent to John, and he has borne witness to…

ADVENT – WEEK 3 – SATURDAY LESSON: MATTHEW 18:1-9 Blessed is he who takes no offense at me. Matthew 11:6 Be on your guard against all and every offense. Who are those who cause offense here? All those who tell you to concentrate on works instead of faith. Such teachers turn Christ into a lawgiver…

ADVENT – WEEK 3 – FRIDAY LESSON: MATTHEW 7:15-27 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 the good news preached to them. And blessed…

ADVENT – WEEK 3 – THURSDAY LESSON: PSALM 98 Christ Jesus our hope. 1 Timothy 1:1 The Greek word for Gospel [euaggelion] means “a joyful message” because in it there is proclaimed the salutary doctrine of life by God’s assurance and grace, and the forgiveness of sins is offered us. So the Gospel is not…

ADVENT – WEEK 3 – WEDNESDAY LESSON: ROMANS 1:16,17 The gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 The Gospel is neither Law nor command; it makes no demands on us. If wretched distress and misery in the heart have come about through the first word of the Law, the Gospel comes as a loving…

ADVENT – WEEK 3 – TUESDAY LESSON: 1 Timothy 1:8-11 The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good . . . but I am carnal, sold under sin. Romans 7:12,14 The law is the word by which God teaches us and instructs us in what we are to do and…