SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
NEWS: Our calendar year is drawing to a close quietly at Shepherd of The Valley.
PRAYERS: Today we pray for the Woodward family: Carole, Bruce and Eric.
READINGS: Psalm 9:11-14; Psalm 31; Isaiah 52:13-54:10; Matthew 2:13-23
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“UNDER THE LAW”
And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:21-24)
We remember Jesus’ circumcision for an important reason—this was the first time He officially came under the Law of God. This was the complex system of rules and rituals God gave Moses for the people of Israel. It showed them how to worship and relate to God. Now at eight days old, Jesus, God’s own Son, is carrying those responsibilities, and we see it again when He is forty days old at the temple.
Why do these things matter? Because Jesus is doing all this on our behalf, even as a baby. And not just things like temple ceremonies. What about the Ten Commandments—those Laws that we all know we should do, and we all fail to carry out perfectly? What about our daily failures in love, in patience, in justice, in mercy?
Without Jesus, our failures would crush us. But with Jesus we have relief. He takes our failures and substitutes His own perfection. He lays down His life to remove the weight of sin that lies against us—and rises again to give us freedom, and life, forever.
We couldn’t do it. But Jesus could—and did, because He loves us. Now we will live with Him in joy and peace and forgiveness, forever.
WE PRAY: Dear Savior, thank You for taking away my failures. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* How do you feel about God’s Law?
* Why?
* How does the Law drive you to Jesus, your Savior?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today’s Bible Readings: Nehemiah 10-11 Revelation 19
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 Wednesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
