1 Advent – Sunday

This is a word of prophecy written at a time when the Savior had not yet come. It is a word of prophecy given to the Daughter of Zion, the Daughter of Jerusalem. Who was the Daughter of Zion, the Daughter of Jerusalem? It was the group of believers in Israel, who eagerly desired to see the long-awaited Messiah come, as the prophets had foretold. From the ancestral line of King David, a greater King, an everlasting King, the promised Savior of the world was to descend according to His human nature. And the desire of the believers was not to be put to shame. Through the Holy Spirit, the Prophet cried: “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion; shout, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King comes to you,” your King, your eternal King! And He “is just, and having salvation”: through His justice and righteousness, the righteousness which He procured for you, a poor sinful people, He will help you forevermore. Christians, believing Christians, the Savior has come! By His bloody merit He has procured for you that righteousness with which you can stand before God. He has helped you. Say: Jesus’ blood and righteousness my jewels are, my glorious dress, wherein before my God I stand when I shall reach the heavenly land. You, believing Christians, are now the Daughter of Zion, the Daughter of Jerusalem. So now rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion; shout for joy, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you: He is just, and having salvation. Christians, you believe in Him, you are righteous before God, you are helped.

PRAYER. – Lord Jesus Christ, dear Savior, I give thanks to Thee that Thou hast fulfilled Thy Word – given through the prophets – that Thou hast truly come. Even me, a poor sinner, hast Thou made righteous before God: to me, too, hast Thou opened heaven; me, too, hast Thou helped. Continue to help me, Lord Jesus, through Thy Word and Thy Holy Spirit, that in true faith I may firmly hold Thee; that I may rely upon Thy merit wrought for me; that I may serve Thee, my King, willingly and gladly, and finally enter the blessed realms above. Amen.

Hymn 91, 1. 4

Epistle: Romans 13:11-14

Gospel: Matthew 21:1-9