Immanuel Lutheran Blog

Simeon saw Jesus and announced that he was ready to die. He had been promised that he would see the savior of Israel, and a light to all the nations before he would die. Upon the eye witness of Christ himself as an 8 day old baby, Simeon realizes that salvation has come and now he can die in peace.
What do we share with Simeon...each week as we come and commune we can make the same declaration as Simeon...that we can die in peace as Salvation has come to us and we see Christ Himself flesh and blood.
Next time you commune...share the same peace with Simeon...that your eyes have seen salvation and peace is truly yours.

Merry Christmas Indeed

Christmas is such a wonderful time.  It is a time when we get to make our family a priority.  It is a time when we shower our loved ones with gifts and with love and affection.  Christmas is a time when the world focuses on showing good will to others, and showing love for one another.  Christmas is a time when the world focuses on the birth of Jesus the Christ.  Christmas though seems only to last for a couple of days.

As I was writing about what we do in Christmas it also dawned on me that God does these things as well.  God makes His family a priority everyday (not just on Christmas), God showers his children with love and gifts (Word and Sacrament) everyday (not just on Christmas), God give love to everyone, even those who desire to spurn His love, everyday (not just on Christmas), God focuses on us and our life here with the passion to ensure our life with Him forever everyday (not just on Christmas). 

So this Christmas as you for one day display the work and love of our God (who does this everyday for us), be reminded of His love and work for you.  When we recognize God's great love through our Savior...truly isn't everyday Christmas!

Merry Christmas.

Join us here at Immanuel this Christmas

Eve Services: Family Style 3 and 5    Candlelight 7 and 11

Day Services: 1030am in the Chapel

People of Christmas: Mary

Mary has been the subject of much debate especially between Lutherans and Roman Catholics.  Lutherans have mistakenly seen Mary many times as just another ordinary person who is in need of Jesus like anyone else.  This is a true and false statement.  Mary is not just another ordinary person, she is blessed and highly favored by the Lord, the statement is true that she needed Jesus just like anyother person on this earth.

In some Roman Catholic circles, Mary is elevated to worship and prayer.  Mary is like you and I in need of Jesus, and all our prayers can go directly to Him who is our one mediator between the Father and us.  (1 Timothy 2:5). 

Both churches have erred in their public teaching on Mary at one point or another, but like Mary...both churches stand in the grace and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ.  May we both faithfully stand on the Word of God and see Mary for who she is...highly blessed as she carried our Lord and gave birth to Him...and she also needed as Savior so that she too may stand before her Lord for all time in great worship and praise of His work on all people's behalf...including her own!

Today, pray to God thanking Him for using Mary to bring into the world our Savior!

People of Christmas: John the Baptizer

John the Baptizer was a unique man to say the least.  He was divinely chosen by God to be the one who would prepare the way for the chosen one, the Messiah.  He was anointed that He would preach and proclaim in the power of Elijah, and that leads us to his wardrobe, lifestyle and vocation.

John wore camel's hair, ate locust and honey.  He did not drink wine or any other fermented food.  John did all this bringing to mind the prophet Elijah.  Why was Elijah so important for John to emulate, why was John filled with the spirit of Elijah?

According to the scriptures Elijah would come to prepare the way for the Messiah.  John recognized and knew his call to prepare the way for the Lord.  John lived so that people (namely the Jews) would realize that Elijah had come, again, and prepared the way for the Lord to come.  Jesus came after John had prepared the way.  John the Baptizer came in the spirit of Elijah, proclaiming what Elijah and all the prophets preached.  Repent, for God is coming.

Today, our message is Repent, be prepared for God is coming.  The Messiah came with the preparation of John the Baptizer (his cousin), the Messiah will come again with the preparation of the Holy Spirit (which is happening every day)...He will return, will you and I be ready? 

God Bless your Advent preparation