Lectio Concordia

The Peace of Christ – Monday

Preparing for the First Sunday after Christmas

Series: Lectio Concordia

December 23, 2024 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• Collect: Blessed Father, out of your great love for us you sent your Son into this troubled world. Give us faith to believe in him so that we may have his peace, through the same Christ Jesus who lives with you and your Holy Spirit, forever one God. Amen

• Psalm 4:1–8

• John 14:23–27

• The teaching of faith alone is despised by the inexperienced. However, God-fearing and anxious consciences find by experience that it brings the greatest consolation, For consciences cannot find rest through any works, but only by faith, when they take the sure ground that for Christ’s sake they have a reconciled God. Paul teaches that “since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). This whole doctrine must be applied to the conflict of the terrified conscience; it cannot be understood apart from that conflict. Therefore, the inexperienced and profane possess poor judgment in this matter because they imagine that Christian righteousness is nothing but civil and philosophical righteousness. (The Augsburg Confession, Chief Articles, Concerning Good Works)

• “When Peace Like a River” Tune

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Refrain: It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul. Refrain

My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! Refrain

O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul. Refrain

• Benediction: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

Memory Verse: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

Memory Verse Aid: PILWY, MPIGTY. NATWGDIGTY. LNYHBT, NLTBA. (John 14:27)