THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD— EVE “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” DECEMBER 24, 2020

A WE PONDER WORSHIP TODAY In the week leading up to the celebration of Christmas, the ancient church prayed the Great “O” . Each begins with a title for Christ—Sapientia (Wisdom), Adonai (Lord), Radix (Root of Jesse), Clavis (Key of David), Oriens (Dayspring), Rex Genitum (King of Nations), and Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” In addition to being the basis for a beloved , these antiphons form a reverse acrostic in , ERO CRAS, or, “Tomorrow I will be there.” These prayers prepared God’s people to celebrate the Incarnation of Christ for generations. Tonight, they form the outline of our Christmas celebrations, teach us who Christ is, and prepare us to receive him. On this most holy of nights, we will receive him, not only through the word but also in the gift of his Holy Supper. Christ indeed comes, let us prepare to greet him anew. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, nascentur pro te Israel. (Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.)

PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP O Lord, my creator, redeemer, and comforter, as I come to worship You in spirit and in truth, I humbly pray that You would open my heart to the preaching of Your Word so that I may repent of my sins, believe in Jesus Christ as my only Savior, and grow in grace and holiness. Hear me for the sake of His name. Amen. Prayer before worship, inside cover of LSB

INVOCATION The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY P The Lord be with you. C And also with you.

P Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen. O SAPIENTIA ANTIPHON P The Antiphon for December 17th.

O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.

READING P A reading from Proverbs and 1st Corinthians. Proverbs 9:1–6 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

1 Corinthians 1:20–25 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

P This is the Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

COLLECT P O Christ, Wisdom of the Father through whom all things were made, we forsook you long ago, being deceived through serpentine guile to seek after our own wisdom and light. Grant us, we pray, that in holy fear and faith we seek and find the wisdom that shines from your cross, that enlightened thus, we may walk the path which leads unto life everlasting. C Amen.

HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357:2

Tune and text: Public domain

O ADONAI ANTIPHON P The Antiphon for December 18th.

O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.

READING P A reading from Exodus and . Exodus 6:6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. Micah 5:2 But you, O Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

P This is the Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

COLLECT P O Lord Yahweh, Ruler of Israel, having delivered your people from slavery long ago, you made known your Law so that our more ancient bondage to sin might be fully known. Rule now our hearts that we might hold fast to your Son, who, being born under the law, redeemed us with an outstretched arm. Rule, O Lord, until that day when at your coming every knee will bend in homage and every tongue confess your Name. C Amen.

HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357:3

Tune and text: Public domain

O RADIX JESSE ANTIPHON P The Antiphon for December 19th.

O Root of Jesse, standing as an ensign before the peoples, before whom all kings are mute, to whom the nations will do homage: Come quickly to deliver us.

READING P A reading from various chapters of . Isaiah 11:1–2, 10 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. Isaiah 52:12 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. :2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground.

P This is the Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

COLLECT P O Lord you kill and make alive, you cut down and you cause to sprout anew. Lifted up high on the tree of the cross, your Son brought forth life from death, a spring out of our winter. Grafted into him, we long for the day when burgeon turns to blossom. Sustain us as we await his coming, that even now faith may bring forth fruit. C Amen.

HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357:4

Tune and text: Public domain

O CLAVIS DAVID ANTIPHON P The Antiphon for December 20th.

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open: Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.

READING P A reading from a Psalm and Isaiah. Psalm 107:10, 14 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons… He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. Isaiah 22:12 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. Isaiah 42:6–7 I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. P This is the Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

COLLECT P O Christ, in you the captive is set free, for you are the Key that unlocks the shackles of sin and opens the door to eternal life. As we await the Great Jubilee of our liberation, bind us to one another in holy love. C Amen.

HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357:5

Tune and text: Public domain

O ORIENS ANTIPHON P The Antiphon for December 21st.

O Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting: Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

READING P A reading from Isaiah, Malachi, and 2nd Peter. :2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Malachi 4:2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.

2 Peter 1:19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

P This is the Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

COLLECT P O Jesus, Bright Morning Star, at your first coming into this dark world the heavens shone brightly to herald our salvation; and though the gloom impenetrable enveloped your cross, your light could not be overcome. When our evening comes, stay with us Lord, so that the night of death will yield to the dawn of your eternal . C Amen.

HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357:6

Tune and text: Public domain

O REX GENITUM ANTIPHON P The Antiphon for December 22nd.

O King of the nations, the ruler they long for, the cornerstone uniting all people: Come and save us all whom You formed out of clay.

READING P A reading from Isaiah, a Psalm, and Ephesians.

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation. Psalm 118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.

P This is the Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

COLLECT P O Prince of Peace, and Desire of the nations, in you all things have been reconciled in heaven and on earth. Through the clay of your incarnation you have fashioned a new humanity. Breathe your Spirit into all people and quicken in us the bond of peace that comes in knowing you. C Amen.

HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357:7

Tune and text: Public domain

O EMMANUEL ANTIPHON P The Antiphon for December 23rd.

O Emmanuel, our king and our Lord, the anointed for the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

READING P A reading from Isaiah. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.

Isaiah 33:21–22 But there the Lord in majesty will be for us… For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.

P This is the Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God.

COLLECT P O come, O come Emmanuel! Come in your glory and tabernacle among us once again. Guard our faith as we wait, open our eyes to see the signs of your advent, and our ears to hear in the groans of creation the promise of its freedom at your return. C Amen.

HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel LSB 357:1

Tune and text: Public domain

ERO CRAS READING P A reading from Luke. Luke 2:1–20 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 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 great fear.And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of 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. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

HOMILY “Emmanuel” The grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Well, are you ready for tomorrow? Is everything under the tree? Do you have everything set for your Christmas, breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner? I don’t know about you but tomorrow will not be a “normal” Christmas day. We won’t have worship in person. We won’t be traveling to my in-laws. It will be a day spent at home with my wife and children. Gifts, food, the normal kind of moments will still be there, but it will be different. In a year that was so different than any of us might have expected, why should Christmas not also be different than normal? It doesn’t make it easy of course. Everything has to adapt. Everything has to change. And if you are like me perhaps you are sick of the change, perhaps you are sick of people talking about how much has changed, perhaps you are sick of talking about how much things will continue to change. I know—enough talking about it, let’s just get through this and be done. In some ways this year, we all want tomorrow to be today. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! Tonight we spent time walking through the Great “O” Antiphons. These ancient prayers have been sung by the church as a way to prepare for tonight, to prepare to receive again the newborn king. They do that by reminding us who Christ is: Wisdom, Lord, the Root of Jesse, the Key of David, the Dayspring, the Desire of Nations, and, yes, Emmanuel—God with us. We have heard these titles echoed in the scriptures and we know the beloved Advent hymn that takes its content from them. We also know the hidden message contained in them. See, when monks would sing these they would do so in Latin, that’s why the Latin titles appear in the bulletin. And when a monk would look back over the week of antiphons he just sang he’d see, as is mentioned at the start of the bulletin, a reverse acrostic—ero cras—tomorrow I will be there. Not only do these ancient prayers teach us who Christ is, not only do they tell us who it is we wait for, they also tell us when he will be here—tomorrow. The familiar story from Luke’s gospel reminds us that Israel could indeed rejoice because Emmanuel came. Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem and in an area where people kept livestock, the Christ child was born. The angels visited the shepherds and the shepherds found the child just as they had been told. And Mary, she pondered all of this in her heart. While we didn’t read about the Magi, we know they will make it to the child bearing gifts. In a year of change it is good to know this story hasn’t. Indeed nothing can change this story. Emmanuel came, and ransom captive Israel he did. The child didn’t stay an infant, he grew strong, and at the appointed time he set off on his public ministry. He healed the sick, he cast out demons, he forgave sins, he did all of the things foretold of him in the scriptures and as he did those things he ushered in the rule and reign of God. He showed the world what it would look like on the last day, the day, as one children’s bible puts it, “when all the sad things would come untrue.” But before that day came another, the day Emmanuel hung as ransom for Israel and the world, the day he hung on a cross, bled, and died for you. This child, the one whose coming we celebrate tonight, is born to die and, yes, rise again on that first Easter morning. That story doesn’t change no matter what else might. We do well to remember this night that the world into which Emmanuel came was our world. A world of sickness. A world of death. A world of sadness and difficulty and uncertainty. As one of my new favorite theologians puts it, “there was no other world into which he was born than this one.” “To us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Emmanuel has come to Israel. He will come to you too. No, I’m not just talking about when he will come again on the Last Day, though indeed he will do just that. I mean he will come to you today, and tomorrow, and the day after that. Christ actually comes to you each and every day. He comes through his word, read and preached. He comes through his word that absolves you, that says to you, “I forgive you, I came to give my life as a ransom for yours.” He comes through his word that is connected with water that washes your sins away. He comes through his word that says the bread and wine are not mere bread and wine, they are his actual body and blood given for you for the forgiveness of your sins. See, when you take that bread and drink that cup, you not only proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes, you hold Emmanuel in your arms. Yes, Christ actually comes to you today and is here with you now wherever you are. That is the great reminder on Christmas for the church, tomorrow is today. Christ has come, he has secured victory, it is assured for you. It cannot change no matter what else in your life might. His life, death, and resurrection have given you a future more sure than any you might conceive of. Yes, tomorrow is today, we know who came, who comes, and who will come again—Emmanuel—God with us. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, has come to you, and continues to come to you, O Israel. Amen.

CONFESSION OF FAITH Nicene Creed C I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life T of the world to come. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER P Taught by Our Lord and trusting in His promises we are bold to pray: C Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

BENEDICTION P The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the T Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve you. C Amen.

HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night LSB 363

Text (sts. 1–3) and Music: Public domain

POSTLUDE

Acknowledgments Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2018 Concordia Publishing House.