The Sunday of the Boy Jesus Returns to the Temple (01/12) - St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church & School

Within the liturgy for each Lord’s day, we receive the Word of God through uniquely appointed readings, psalms, hymns, and prayers. This week we will pray the Divine Service Setting Three (audio of this liturgy). The following guide will help you to prepare to hear and sing the Propers, i.e. the varied texts and hymns for this week.

If the winter storm, parking lot, and road conditions prevent our catechesis and service Sunday morning, all members will be notified via email and SMS text using the contact info on file with the church office.

The Glory of the Lord Returns to the Temple in the Boy Jesus

In the days of Solomon, the Lord dwelt among His people in the temple. The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord in the form of a cloud (1 Kings 8:6–13). Now Jesus, who is the glory of the Lord in the flesh, enters the temple to show that He Himself is the everlasting temple and dwelling place of God (Luke 2:41–52). Our young Lord, true man, subject to Mary and Joseph, reveals Himself also to be true God, whose father is not Joseph but the Almighty Father in heaven. Jesus does this at the time of the Passover. For He came to be the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Even as He was found by his parents after three days, so He would later rise from the dead on the third day that the favor of God might rest also upon us. It is by these mercies of God that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God through Christ (Rom. 12:1–5).

Collect of the Day: Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings:

Introit: Ps. 100; antiphon: Is. 6:1, Rev. 19:6
Gradual: Ps. 72:18, 3
Old Testament: 1 Kings 8:6-13
Psalm 50:1-15 (antiphon: v. 15)
Epistle: Rom. 12:1-5
Proper Verse: Ps. 100:1-2a
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52