Category Archives: Advent 3

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit             What did you go out into the wilderness to see? John the Baptist is more than a prophet. He is God’s messenger who … Continue reading →

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit             A more precise translation of Matthew 11:6 is blessed is the one who is not scandalized by me. English gets the word “scandal” … Continue reading →

1879 and 1891. The 1879 outline is the work of Franz Pieper.

“Stir up!” This is the great petition of Advent, a call for our Lord to summon His own power to come among us and to save us. We pray in two Collects for Advent for the Lord to stir up His power to save us from the threatening peril of our sins (Advent I and IV). Last Sunday (Advent II), we prayed, “Stir up, our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son.” And today’s Gradual has two petitions for the Lord to stir up His strength and to save us by His great might. Guided by today’s Gradual from Psalm 80[:1-2], today we learn from John the Baptist’s question what it means for the Lord to stir up His strength for us and for our salvation. Continue reading →