SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: The Tuesday evening Bible study is on break until January and will not be meeting tonight or next week.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for Terry and Alba Reilly. Alba gives thanks that she is healing well after having a surgical procedure last Thursday.
READINGS: Psalm 119:25-32; Psalm 141; Isaiah 40:18-41:10; Revelation 8:1-13
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“SON OF DAVID”
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)
Why did the angel call Joseph “son of David”?
God had promised many years ago that the Messiah would come from David’s family. As a son of David, Joseph would pass that on to his legal son Jesus (along with the natural descent from David Jesus had through His mother).
But I think there might be more to it, important as that is. David was known as the “man after God’s own heart,” the one who sinned deeply, but loved God just as deeply. When God sent David’s life in strange new directions, David listened and followed. He relied on God’s promises. Now the angel calls this son of David, Joseph, to an even stranger life—protecting and caring for God’s own Son Jesus and His mother.
“Do not fear,” the angel says. God will be with him at every step. This Son that God is giving into Joseph’s hands will be his Savior as well—so Joseph will have the privilege of saving his Savior, providing for his Provider. And Joseph will name Him Jesus—this Child, God Himself, come into the world to save us from our sins and to provide us with everlasting life.
WE PRAY: Help me to trust You, dear Lord, like Joseph and David did. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Has your life been mostly as you expected when you were young, or not?
* What do you think must have been odd about raising the Child Jesus?
* Tell about a time when your life took a strange turn and you found help in the Lord.
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Esther 1-2 Matthew 1 Luke 3
Luther’s Morning Prayer
In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
After singing a hymn or whatever else may serve your devotion, you can go about your day joyfully!
Luther’s Evening Prayer
In the evening, when you go to bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
You can now go to bed quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Our church website is: https://www.svlchurch.org/
Belo is our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Lutheran Public Radio is listener supported and has two channels, one for sacred music and the other for talk, including news, current issues, politics and spiritual matters from a Lutheran perspective. Hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken, Issues, Etc. airs live Monday thru Friday from 1 to 3 pm Pacific, with the “Best Of” running at other hours: https://lutheranpublicradio.org/
KFUO is the listener supported radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, their format consists of teaching, preaching, ministry and sacred music: https://www.kfuo.org/
A very blessed Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
