Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Advent reading for December 21
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
-- Matthew 11:2-6
This is the good and happy news, that Christ has paid for our sin, and through His suffering has redeemed us from eternal death. It is His kingdom and His ministry, to preach the Gospel to the poor; that is His purpose. For to the great and holy He cannot come. They do not wish to be counted sinners, and therefore do not need His Gospel.
-- Martin Luther
At my life’s beginning,
Be thou so again
At my journey’s end.
As thou wast besides
At my soul’s shaping,
Father, be thou too
At my journey’s close.
Amen.
-- Prayer of the Celtic Tradition
P.S. We apologize that Blogger will not accept our stole picture tonight; we will attempt to repost it tomorrow.
