Advent 3, 2020
Isaiah 61:1-4 & 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
“Celebrate Anew the Year of the Lord’s Favor”
[Video of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE service may be found here]
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Who is ready for 2020 to be over and done with? Here’s a brief recap of some of the events 2020 brought: Australia had wildfires that burned millions of acres of land killing an estimated 1 billion animals, The United States had wildfires on the west coast and in Colorado, there were more hurricanes that hit the South and South East, Coronavirus spread worldwide and still plagues us, many businesses closed and jobs were lost, there were more cases of police brutality that reignited racial tensions that brought protests and riots, murder hornets arrived in the Northwest, locusts swarmed in parts of Africa, a Saharan dust storm sent dust that made its way to Nebraska and beyond, there was another Ebola outbreak in Africa, and our presidential election is still being contested in the courts. Again, who is ready for 2020 to end?
Scripture gives us a reminder though of how we should approach every year; every day; every moment in this life: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24)
The way this year has gone I can understand “pray without ceasing.” But…rejoice… always? Give thanks in all circumstances? You must be kidding. Who on earth can rejoice and give thanks all the time with the kind of year we have had?
I’m reminded of Rev. Martin Rinckart. Many of you know at least something about him. He wrote these words: “Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us. With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us. And keep us in His grace and guide us when perplexed. And free us from all ills in this world and the next!” Those words are found in the beautiful hymn “Now Thank We All Our God.”
Rinckart wrote a mealtime prayer that is dated to 1630; right in the midst of the 30 years war. That prayer became the beautiful hymn just quoted. Those words certainly would have continued to be used near the end of the war as the plague also struck the city of Eilenburg. Due to the plague and war Rinckart would lose his wife to death and being the only Pastor left buried 4000 people in one year. Following the plague came a severe famine leaving little for food. Rinckart would share most of what he had barely keeping enough to feed his family. Rinckart wore a ring with the inscription MVSICA. Being a hymn writer it seems fitting. Those letters actually stood for “Mein Vertrauen Steht In Christo Allein” (“my trust is in Christ alone!).
Trust centered in Christ. Trust centered on Scripture. Scripture such as our Old Testament lesson. Hear it again: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” (Isaiah 61:1-4)
I know that it is hard to imagine that this past year could be called “the year of the Lord’s favor.” With all the problems; the death, the suffering, the loss…it has been on all accounts a terrible year for the vast majority of the world. And yet, this year, like every year, is the year of the Lord’s favor in Christ. It is the year of the Lord’s favor found in that miraculous birth, the sacrifice of death, and our Lord’s joyous resurrection.
Throughout all the problems of this life God still sustains us, blesses us, and keeps His promise to never forsake us. We are continued to be blessed with house and home, we still have talents and the ability to work, we have been given loving families, friends, and Church family. We have the blessing of knowing our salvation is sure in Christ. Yes, we still live in a sin filled world full of problems, heartache, loss, and death…but God still loves us, carries us in His bosom, strengthens us so that we may persevere in this life, and gives us salvation and life eternal with all our loved ones that have died in the faith.
Knowing that this is the Year of the Lord’s favor in Christ we may sing, praise, and pray these words: “Lay on the sick thy healing hand and make the fallen strong to stand; show us the glory of thy face till beauty springs in every place.” (On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry)
May this Advent Season bring you again with wonder and awe to the coming celebration of Christ’s birth even as we await His coming again in glory. Let us celebrate anew the year of the Lord’s favor that we have each year; each day in Christ who was born, lived, died, and rose for you that you would have life eternal with Him. Prepare for the birth of our King. Prepare for His coming in glory. Rejoice. Amen.
Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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