Lectio Concordia

The Peace of Christ – Wednesday

Preparing for the First Sunday after Christmas

Series: Lectio Concordia

December 25, 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

• Isaiah 26:1–4

• Secure hypocrites always conclude that they acquire merit because they have earned it...because people naturally trust in their own righteousness. But terrified consciences waver and hesitate. Then they seek other works and stockpile them, hoping to find peace. Such consciences never think that they have acquired merit. They rush into despair unless they hear—in addition to the teaching of the law—the gospel about the free forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of faith. (Defense of the Augsburg Confession, Justification)

• “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)