Yes, it’s Friday… and…
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
Wait! What happened to Christmas in July? Did it just come and go…?
Not that this is a real thing! Jesus being born twice… no…
I mean I will take the cheer and presents two times a year, along with another day for my birthday—who wouldn’t?
But is that all it is? Advent… and then… December 25th… and just nothing!
Hmmm….
It is how we have been doing things for a long time now. Yet, the not too distant past
Church did it right—3 weeks of Advent… and then…
Wait for it… Wait for it…
12 (yes, twelve… that is right, XII) days of Christmas! Starting on December 25th!
That day did not end things. No, they just get started.
Who wouldn’t want that? Scrooges, that is who!
Too many out there to count. But… what would happen if… if we could—have 12 days?
Schools sort of still run that way with their breaks… why not the rest of society?
God had it built in Jewish culture too. Lots of big times of partying and festive Jubilees. Celebrations with feasting.
Jesus shows a bit of this when He and His disciples are invited to a wedding in Cana, along with His mother. Talk about a wedding present! 120 to 180 gallons of choice wine!
Now that is a bit of a taste of Heaven. That will be what it will be like. That, but without the leftovers, messes to clean up, the resolutions to undo what went to the waist, to pay off what went on the plastic…
And no, we will not get tired and bored with it.
We have forgotten that we have a church calendar that is filled with feast days. They are there for a reason. We should remember them and keep them more…
To live like a member of the royal family is so much better. None of this industrial bleak eastern block, or coal choking dreary Dickens’ London workhouse scene! Let’s fire all the beadles and invite them to our church feasts (services and dinners) along with our communist neighbors and former workhouse inmates! Don’t forget Tiny Tim and all the street urchins!
Yes, there are times in which fasting is called for, but today, tomorrow and the next is not that day! (unless it is). Sunday is the Lord’s day, representing Easter each and every week. Rejoice and be glad!
I know, but it is Friday….
Yeah, but Sunday is so near…
Can you just catch that slight aroma of the feast being prepared? Oh, yes…
Not too long now…
The celebration is about to begin. Come one, come all!
Yes, yes…it’s Friday, and so what… Sunday… is almost here!
This coming Sunday – 19th Sunday after Pentecost – October 19th 2025
Readings:
Old Testament – Amos 6:1-7
Epistle – 1 Timothy 6:6-16
Gospel – Luke 16:19-31
Psalm – 121
WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
Based on the Old Testament reading
Prayers: Again, remember our congregation, that God would increase our numbers. That He would bless us with a continuing presence here in Chicagoland, as a light on a hill in this present darkness. That we would be an influence in this community for the Gospel. That people would hear and believe. That they would hunger for the pure spiritual milk of His saving and sanctifying Word. Also we ask for the protection of the congregations throughout our country as many attempt to do violence and silence the message of truth anywhere that God has raised up His people to proclaim it. Remember our leaders so that they are able to enact justice and peace here and throughout the world. Pray that in seeking justice we do not forget compassion and a readiness to help those in need.
Reflection from Luther:
“Therefore it is a very precious word which we hear: “Unto you is born the Savior.” This birth, he would say, is not for us angels; I have no share in it, except that I am glad with you and for you, who are poor, depraved and lost men. This Child, the Son of God, is your Savior; you are to be helped from sin and death. Now it is in itself a great and glorious thing that God has become man. But this is far more, that He is to be our spiritual and eternal Savior. Whoever would rightly believe this, could tell what true joy is. Yes, if his heart were full of this faith, he could, for great joy, not live long; for his heart could not bear the joy..”
Martin Luther, from his Christmas Sermons