Lectio Concordia

The True Light – Friday

Preparing for the Third Sunday of Advent

Series: Lectio Concordia

December 13, 2024 By Rev. Mark Ryman

• Online jigsaw puzzle of today's reading • Index

• Collect: Give us faith, Lord, to confess that you are the one sent from the Father, eternally proceding from him to be light in our darkness and redemption for the sins of the world so that your Father may be praised with you and the Holy Spirit, forever one God. Amen.

• Psalm 27:1–14

• 2 Corinthians 4:1–6

• From The Lutheran Confessions: Directly after the times of the apostles, and even while they were still living, false teachers and heretics arose. The early church composed symbols (brief but clear confessions) which were regarded as the unanimous, universal Christian faith and confession of the orthodox and true church, namely, the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We pledge ourselves to these, and hereby reject all heresies and doctrines which, contrary to them, have been introduced into the church of God. (The Formula of Concord, Epitome)

• “O God of God! O Light of Light!” John Julian • Tune

O God of God! O Light of Light!
Thou Prince of Peace, Thou King of kings,
To Thee, where angels know no night,
The song of praise forever rings:
To Him Who sits upon the throne,
The Lamb once slain for sinful men,
Be honor, might; all by Him won;
Glory and praise! Amen, Amen.

Deep in the prophets’ sacred page,
Grand in the poets’ winged word,
Slowly in type, from age to age,
Nations beheld their coming Lord;
Till through the deep Judean night
Rang out the song, “Goodwill to men!”
Hymned by the firstborn sons of light,
Re-echoed now, “Goodwill!” Amen.

That life of truth, those deeds of love,
That death of pain, ’mid hate and scorn;
These all are past, and now above,
He reigns our King! once crowned with thorn.
Lift up your heads, ye heavenly gates;
So sang his hosts, unheard by men;
Lift up your heads, for you he waits.
We lift them up! Amen, Amen!

Nations afar, in ignorance deep;
Isles of the sea, where darkness lay;
These hear his voice, they wake from sleep,
And throng with joy the upward way.
They cry with us, “Send forth Thy light,”
O Lamb, once slain for sinful men;
Burst Satan’s bonds, O God of might;
Set all men free! Amen, Amen!

Sing to the Lord a glorious song,
Sing to his Name, his love forth tell;
Sing on, heaven’s hosts, his praise prolong;
Sing, ye who now on earth do dwell;
Worthy the Lamb for sinners slain,
From angels, praise; and thanks from men;
Worthy the Lamb, enthroned to reign,
Glory and power! Amen, Amen!

• Benediction: May the Lord lift up the light of his face upon you and put joy and peace deeply within your heart. Amen.

• Memory Verse: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

• Memory Verse Aid: AJSTT, S, IATLOTW. WFMWNWID, BWHTLOL. (John 8:12)