SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS:
Our Christmas celebrations are almost upon us. Tomorrow evening, on Christmas Eve, we have a 5:00 PM worship service. This includes Christmas carols, readings (for children and adults), a timely message and a Candlelight signing of Silent Night. Everyone is invited, including family members, friends and neighbors.
Sunday we have our Christmas Day service at 10 AM. The title of Pastor Joel’s sermon will be, “It’s All About Jesus.” Please invite everyone you know to this service as well.
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Chris Roth. We also pray for Kyle Ross and his parents as he travels back and forth each day to assist them: they are 89 years old. We also remember his son Sean and his family. They moved to Riverside some months back and Sean is doing well after his accident in April of ’21, albeit with the loss of vision in one of his eyes.
READINGS: Psalm 39:4-8; Psalm 144; Isaiah 43:25-44:20; Revelation 11:1-19
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“JESUS”
And he called His Name Jesus. (Matthew 1:25b)
The Name Jesus comes from a longer Hebrew form Yehoshua, “The Lord is salvation,” though by the time our Lord was born, people usually used a shorter form, Yeshua. As the name passed through Greek and Latin, we got our English version, Jesus.
It was a popular name in Jesus’ day—He might not have been the only boy in Nazareth with that name. He’s not even the only person in the Bible to carry it—the Old Testament leader Joshua shares it. And yet, for all eternity, Jesus our Lord will forever be the One we think of when we say this name.
Jesus is God’s own self-chosen name for His incarnation as a human being. It sums up in a single word exactly why He came to earth—to become our Savior. Not to judge us, not to crush us, not to rule over us in power—but to rescue us. To save us from the power of sin, death, and the devil.
The Name Jesus shows us God’s heart for us—and it is a heart full of love. It’s a heart that took Him to the cross for us, knowing that through His suffering, death, and resurrection, He would set us free from the power of evil. Nobody else could do it—but the Lord could, and did. He laid aside His glory, stepped down from His heavenly throne, and came down to us.
And Joseph named Him Jesus.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for becoming my Savior. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Do you know what your name means? If so, what?
* How well do you think Mary and Joseph understood Jesus’ mission when He was born?
* Jesus’ other name, Immanuel, means “God with us.” How does that comfort you?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Esther 9-10 Revelation 14
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/
Below 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 Friday and Christmas weekend to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
