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Monday, December 7, 2015

LSB 367 Angels from the Realms of Glory

LSB 367 Angels from the Realms of Glory











The Angels initiate a new round of praise at Jesus Christ's arrival in Bethlehem. The Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the Highest) sung by the angels in Luke 2 jump starts four succeeding choruses of praise to the Triune God. The Angels' creation song continues with a second verse as the New Creation begins in earnest at the birth of Christ. "Come and Worship Christ," is the angels' call to all.

The shepherds cannot remain idly by as the birth of Jesus unfolds so close by.  God arriving in the flesh and blood of Jesus the Christ calls them to bend their knees beside the manger. The Light of Light has come to shine on us. "Come and Worship Christ," is the shepherds' call to all.




The wise men are ordinarily all wrapped up in their speculations.  We are constantly overwhelmed with theories-- pump public money into banks, change payroll taxes, take from some, give to others, redirect and redistribute, make everyone fend for themselves, let everyone keep whatever they earn and let the chips fall where they may, spend more, spend less. As many theories exist as people. Everyone's a sage. Everyone knows what we should do while nobody thinks we are doing the right things. We pray for world leaders in our congregation every week. Our sages need to stop their theorizing and answer the call of the wisest of the wise men. "Come and Worship Christ," is the sages' call to all.



Those who believe in Christ form One Holy Universal and Apostolic Church. All  believers join the Gloria Chorus in stanza four. We sing in light of the Christ's first coming and in anticipation of his final appearing. "Come and Worship Christ," is the Christian's call to all.







The Call to Worship is completed as all creation joins in praising Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. "Come and Worship Christ," is Creation's call to all.


Hebrews 1:6 
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Luke 2:8-17 
The Shepherds and the Angels
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them,
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 

Matthew 2:1-11 
The Visit of the Wise Men
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 

Psalms 148 
Praise the Name of the LORD
Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;*
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the LORD!

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