Saturday, December 22, 2007
Luke 1:54-55 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.
MARY'S "AMEN"
Let the earth now praise the Lord,
Who hath truly kept His word
And the sinners' Help and Friend
Now at last to us doth send.
Does God ever make a promise that is not kept? Does He ever forget what He has said or neglect to perform a task He has set out to perform? When He promised a Savior to Adam and Eve in the garden and later to Abraham, was that Savior not born?
Abram's promised great Reward,
Zion's Helper, Jacob's Lord --
Him of twofold race behold --
Truly came, as long foretold.
When He promised to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God who would save His people from their sins, He kept that promise too. Now Mary rejoices with a triumphant "Amen!" Truly, truly, so shall it be. He has remembered to be merciful, even as He said!
Welcome, O my Savior, now!
Hail! My Portion, Lord, art Thou
Here, too, in my heart, I pray,
Oh, prepare Thyself a way!
Come, Lord Jesus. Help us to glorify your holy name this coming Christmas season. Finally also fulfill your promise to appear again in glory, for this too shall come to pass. Come again with the trumpet call of God that we may sing anew our glad triumphal song to the Lamb!
And when Thou dost come again
As a glorious King to reign,
I with joy may see Thy face,
Freely ransomed by Thy grace.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 91:1,3-4,9)
