Zion Lutheran Church

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Advent Calendar: Day 13 The reflections for this week are centered around the readings for this Sunday’s texts Jeremiah 33:12-16, Romans 13:8-12, Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew 1:25... And (Joseph) named him Jesus. By his naming of Jesus, Joseph assumes the role and responsibility of fatherhood. In this moment of adoption, Joseph not only continues to demonstrate an abundant love that does what is right and gracious but he also demonstrates what God’s love is doing for us in Jesus. We are not of the blood line of Abraham, nor do we share the redemptive history of the exodus, nor are we the rightful heirs of the Davidic throne. Through the coming of Jesus, God nevertheless gathers us, (the gentiles) into His family and names us as His own. God adopts us as his chosen children and heirs. Our adoption into His family is an act of resolute and sacrificial love signed in the incarnation and sealed in the eventual crucifixion of Jesus. As Jesus grew to know Joseph as his father, so we have come to know God as our Abba/Father. Consider what it is like to be without family, without a place, without love, identity or belonging. Sometimes the dark places in life makes us feel these ways. Let the promise that your are chosen and adopted into God’s family shed light on your spirit. You are His beloved child. Nothing can separate you from your heavenly Father’s love!

Advent Calendar: Day 12 The reflections for this week are centered around the readings for this Sunday’s texts Jeremiah 33:12-16, Romans 13:8-12, Matthew 1:18-25 Jeremiah 33:16b... The LORD is our righteousness. A couple of this week’s devotions have centered around the righteousness which Joseph modeled for us. This Sunday’s Old Testament text reminds us that ultimately our righteousness is given to us in the time of our Lord’s arrival and work. At some point we all fail at doing all that is divinely right and graciously loving. The righteousness by which we dare approach Glory is never our own; instead it is imputed or given to us through Jesus. For as much as our Advent devotions center around our preparations, the truth is that our salvation is in Jesus (he saves) and whatever preparations we do, in their most glorious successes, only help us to see that Jesus is our righteousness through grace. While it may seem right to say Christmas is the season of giving, it is even more right to acknowledge that Christmas is the season of receiving. In advent we prepare to receive the gift of Jesus at his birth. In receiving Jesus we receive God’s love, Christ’s righteousness, the Spirit’s presence, new life, and salvation. Take time to ponder the gift that has been given and receive it with the awe, joy, and gratitude befitting the blessing given to us.

Advent Calendar: Day 11 The reflections for this week are centered around the readings for this Sunday’s texts Jeremiah 33:12-16, Romans 13:8-12, Matthew 1:18-25 Romans 13: 10... Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Earlier in this week’s reflections we talked a bit about the righteousness of Joseph and some of what that means: fundamentally, that Joseph did what is right according to God’s perspective. The second lesson that will be read this Sunday reminds us that loving one another does what is right by fulfilling the law. Joseph’s desire to be merciful to Mary prior the angelic dream and his willingness to accept Mary and the Babe she bore following his dream, while full of both obedience and mercy was undoubtedly empowered in love of God and neighbor. What is implied by the love Joseph showed to Mary is not revelatory of some romantic love (though Joseph may have had such feelings for his betrothed) but rather demonstrates the kind of orientation of heart that seeks to bless and serve others. This is a love that does no wrong and thus does all it can to do what is right to God and for others. This is the love Joseph shows to Mary and Jesus, Jesus shows us, and we are to show the world. How do you normally define love? How in that definition informed by love’s scriptural connection to fulfilling the law? How in that definition informed by this text’s description of love’s need to do no harm?

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Advent Calendar: Day 10 The reflections for this week are centered around the readings for this Sunday’s texts Jeremiah 33:12-16, Romans 13:8-12, Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew 1:21b... you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Some within the traditions of the church talk about the power of the name of Jesus and use His name as assort of magical incantation that absolves problems and dispenses with evil. While there is certainly all power in Jesus (a power he sets aside to go to the cross for us), that power is not bound up for us to manipulate or control by the use of his name but rather to receive as faithful followers who submit to His will and serve in prospering His work. However, there is power in the name of Jesus to remind us that intrinsic to His divinely given name is a declaration of his divinely destined purpose to save us. So in times of doubt, fear, and trouble, remembering the name of our Lord also recalls the powerful proclamation that he has come to save us. Jesus means God saves. This central promise is bound in the destiny foretold by his naming, realized in the fulfilment of that destiny upon the cross, and celebrated in His victory from the grave! Know what Jesus means to you: deliverance, redemption, renewal, resurrection, Salvation! What is the etymology (history and meaning) of your name? What would you like your name to mean to others when they call upon you? What meanings are evoked in your heart and mind when you call upon Jesus? When others hear the name Jesus what do you think they think of? How does the witness of Jesus’ followers inform what Jesus’ name means to others? Do we use Jesus’ name in vain every time we use it in a way that doesn’t save? How can we honor the name of Jesus and help others to know him as our Savior?