Festival of St. Thorlak, Bishop and Confessor
Posted on December 23, 2022 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 2:1-14 (NKJV)
2:1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Devotion
As we read of the birth of our Lord in Luke’s Gospel, we once again encounter something that should be familiar to us. In the Divine Service, the Gloria in Excelsis is sung which calls to mind the song of the angels that night as they appeared proclaiming the good news to lowly shepherds. The joy with which the angels sang that night is the same joy we receive in Christ at the Divine Service. This is the joy that the saints, like St. Thorlak, preached, and that we continue to preach. We join with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven to laud and magnify the name of Jesus, knowing that every knee will bow to Him.
This babe that is born so lowly is God in the flesh; the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. It is no wonder the angels broke out in tremendous chorus, just as we will belt out the Gloria in Excelsis at the end of the Advent season! The waiting is almost over, dear Church. Let us continue to serve our King!
Prayer: Merciful God, graciously look upon Thy Church here on earth. Strengthen Thy congregation and give Thy Church comfort and peace. Teach the leaders of Thy Church to unite against all obstacles to Thy Word. Guide those who are tempted. Comfort those who suffer any want of body or soul. Prepare Thy congregation to make ready to sincerely and faithfully celebrate the holy feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Rorate coeli, The Fourth Sunday in Advent
Stir up, Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy power, and come, and with great might succor us, that by the help of Thy grace whatsoever is hindered by our sins may be speedily accomplished, through Thy mercy and satisfaction; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
