December 25, 2015
Immanuel Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO
Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

INI + AMEN.

The old carol “Now Sing We Now Rejoice” is included in Lutheran Service Book. The original carol was a mixture of Latin and German. Now, the only reason I’m saying this is because the original first stanza fits wondrously with our text from John chapter 1. “In dulci jubilo” (In sweet rejoicing) Now sing with hearts aglow! Our heart’s consolation, lies in praesepio” (in the Manger) “and He shines like the sun Matris in gremio” (in the mother’s lap) “Alpha es et O, Alpha es et O!” (You are the Alpha and the Omega.) That’s our joy this Christmas morning. What other sweet rejoicing can there be besides the fact that the Alpha and the Omega lies in a manger and shines brightly sitting in His mother’s lap FOR US. As John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This Word is the true light—“God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God.” (NC) This is Jesus, the eternal, “only-begotten Son of the Father, full of a grace and truth.” This Jesus comes as “a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of [His] people Israel.” (Nunc Dimittis) This Jesus is the Truth and Light sent from above, and

JESUS, THE TRUE LIGHT, SHINES AMONG US. Continue reading →