Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Olive Branch, MS

Introit: Ps. 72:1-2, 10-11; antiphon: Liturgical text
Gradual: Is. 60:6b, 1
Old Testament: Is. 60:1-6
Psalm 24 (antiphon: v. 7)\rEpistle: Eph. 3:1-12
ProperVerse: Matt. 2:2b
Gospel: Matt. 2:1-12
\rThe Lord God Is Manifested in the Incarnate Son
The Feast of the Epiphany centers in the visit of the Magi from the East. In that respect, it is a "Thirteenth Day" of Christmas; and yet, it also marks the beginning of a new liturgical season. While Christmas has focused on the Incarnation of our Lord-that is, on God becoming flesh-the season of Epiphany emphasizes the manifestation or self-revelation of God in that same flesh of Christ. For the Lord Himself has entered our darkness and rises upon us with the brightness of His true light (Is. 60:1-2). He does so chiefly by His Word of the Gospel, which He causes to be preached within His Church on earth-not only to the Jews but also to Gentiles (Eph. 3:8-10). As the Magi were guided by the promises of Holy Scripture to find and worship the Christ Child with His mother in the house (Matt. 2:5-11), so does He call disciples from all nations by the preaching of His Word, to find and worship Him within His Church (Is. 60:3-6). With gold they confess His royalty; with incense, His deity; and with myrrh, His priestly sacrifice (Matt. 2:11).

Introit: Ps. 98:1-4; antiphon: Is. 9:6
Gradual: Ps. 118:26a, 27a, 23
Old Testament: Ex. 40:17-21, 34-38
Psalm 2 (antiphon: v. 7)
Epistle: Titus 3:4-7
ProperVerse: Liturgical text
Gospel: John 1:1-14 (15-18)

The Living and Life-Giving Word of God Dwells among Us in the Flesh
In the beginning God created all things through His Word, His Son.  But man fell into sin, and with man all creation was cursed. Therefore, God spoke His Word again, this time into the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle of our human nature (Ex. 40:17-21, 34-38). "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:1-14).  The Son of God took on our flesh and blood and died on the cross in order that we might receive the right to become the children of God through faith. Baptized into Christ's body, we are made partakers of a new Genesis, "the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:4-7). In Christ, the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man has truly appeared.

Introit: Ps. 2:1-2, 4-6; antiphon: liturgical text
Gradual: Ps. 98:3b, 4a, 2
Old Testament: Is. 9:2-7
Psalm 96 (antiphon: v. 2)\rEpistle: Titus 2:11-14
ProperVerse: Ps. 95:1a, 6b
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

The Light of Christ Shines Forth in the Darkness
Heaven and earth rejoice on this night because the glory of the Triune God is manifested in the human birth of "our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). In Him, the Father's grace, mercy and peace rest upon the world. The silence of death is broken by this "good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). And all we who have gone astray like lost and wandering sheep, who have "walked in the darkness" of doubt and fear and sinful unbelief, behold "a great light" in the nativity of Christ (Is. 9:2). In Him "the grace of God has appeared" (Titus 2:11). For this Child of Mary who is born for us, this dear Son of God who is given to us, will bear the burden of our sin and death in His own body on the cross. He thereby establishes a government of peace, "with justice and with righteousness," which shall have no end; not by any work of man, but "the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this" (Is. 9:7).

Luke 2:22-38

Rorate Coeli
Introit: Ps. 19:1, 4-6; antiphon: Is. 45:8a
Gradual: Ps. 145:18, 21
Old Testament: Deut. 18:15-19
Psalm 111 (antiphon: v. 9)
Epistle: Phil. 4:4-7
ProperVerse: Ps.40:17b
Gospel: John 1:19-28
      or Luke 1:39-56

John the Baptizer Points Everyone to the Messiah
The coming of God in all His unveiled power at Mount Sinai was terrifying to the people of Israel. The thundering voice of the Lord puts sinners in fear of death (Deut. 18:15-19). God, therefore, raised up a prophet like Moses-the Messiah, the Christ. God came to His people veiled in human flesh. The skies poured down the Righteous One from heaven; the earth opened her womb and brought forth Salvation (Introit) through the blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of the Lord (Luke 1:39-56). The fruit of her womb is the very Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the One whose sandal strap John was not worthy to loose (John 1:19-28). In Jesus we are delivered from fear and anxiety. In Him alone we have the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:4-7).

2 Chronicles 16-20

Luke 2:8-20

Gaudete
Introit: Ps. 85:1-2, 6, 8; antiphon: Phil. 4:4-5\rGradual: Ps. 80:1-2
Old Testament: Is. 40:1-8 (9-11)
Psalm 85 (antiphon: v. 9)
Epistle: 1 Cor. 4:1-5
ProperVerse: Ps. 80:2b
Gospel: Matt. 11:2-10 (11)

John the Baptizer Prepares the Way for the Lord
The voice of the Baptizer cried out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord . . ." (Isa. 40:1). John called the people to be made ready for the Messiah's coming through repentance, for "all flesh is grass" (Isa. 40:6). Now He asks from prison, "Are you the one who is to come . . .?" (Matt. 11:2). Jesus' works bear witness that He is. The sick are made well; the dead are raised, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Their iniquity is pardoned; they have received from the Lord's hand double forgiveness for all their sins. The "stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1) still deliver Christ's overflowing forgiveness to the poor in spirit, comforting God's people with the word of the Gospel which stands forever. This Gospel produces rejoicing among all those who believe.

2 Chronicles 14-16

Zechariah’s Benedictus

Luke 1:57-80