December 2020

WEDNESDAY (December 30, 2020)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:11)

Reading
“And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Luke 2:22–26)

Meditation
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star.
Come and worship, come and worship;
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Be with Jack this day, O Lord, and show him your great love throughout all the days of his life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Week (From Sunday)
O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer

TUESDAY (December 29, 2020)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:11)

Reading
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” (Galatians 4:4–7)

Meditation
The infant Priest was holy born
For us unholy and forlorn;
From fleshly temple forth came He,
Anointed from eternity. (LSB 624:1)

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Lord Jesus Christ, be with Barbara this week. Give her your grace and teach her to learn more of your mercy with each passing day. Amen.

Prayer of the Week (From Sunday)
O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

MONDAY (December 28, 2020)
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:11)

Reading
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” (Isaiah 62:1–3)

Meditation
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord! (LSB 379:3)

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Heavenly Father, bless Laura with faith in you and fervent love toward all those who cross her path this day. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer For the Feast of The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Almighty God, the martyred innocents of Bethlehem showed forth Your praise not by speaking but by dying. Put to death in us all that is in conflict with Your will that our lives may bear witness to the faith we profess with our lips; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

SUNDAY (December 27, 2020)
The First Sunday after Christmas
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:11)

Reading
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:10–11)

Meditation
He undertakes a great exchange,
Puts on our human frame,
And in return gives us His realm,
His glory, and His name,
His glory, and His name. (LSB 389:4)

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Let your grace be upon Francesca, O Lord, and teach her to hope in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Merciful Lord, cast the bright beams of Your light upon Your Church that we, being instructed in the doctrine of Your blessed apostle and evangelist John, may come to the light of everlasting life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Lord’s Prayer

SATURDAY (December 26, 2020)
St. Stephen, Martyr
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)

Reading
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:37-39)

Meditation
The world may hold
Her wealth and gold:
But thou, my heart, keep Christ as thy true treasure.
To Him hold fast
Until at last
A crown be thine and honor in full measure (LSB 373:6)

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Father, we lift up Francesca before you this day, asking that You would give her your mercy all the days of her life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Feast of St. Stephen, Martyr
Heavenly Father, in the midst of our sufferings for the sake of Christ grant us grace to follow the example of the first martyr, Stephen, that we also may look to the One who suffered and was crucified on our behalf and pray for those who do us wrong; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

FRIDAY (December 25, 2020)
Christmas Day
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)

Reading
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” (Hebrews 1:1–4)

Meditation
Since all He comes to ransom,
By all be He adored,
The infant born in Bethl’em,
The Savior and the Lord.
Proclaim the Savior’s birth:
“To God on high be glory
And peace to all the earth!” (LSB 383:4)

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Show your grace to Rhea this day, as she goes about the callings you have given to her. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for The Nativity of Our Lord–Christmas Day
Almighty God, grant that the birth of Your only-begotten Son in the flesh may set us free from the bondage of sin; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

THURSDAY (December 24, 2020)
Christmas Eve
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)

Reading
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Meditation
Of the Father’s love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore. (LSB 384:1)

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Be with Kathy this day, O Lord, and show her your great love throughout all the days of her life. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Nativity of our Lord—Christmas Eve
O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we joyfully receive Him as our Redeemer, we may with sure confidence behold Him when He comes to be our Judge; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

WEDNESDAY (December 23, 2020)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)

Reading
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:30-33)

Meditation
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel! (LSB 357:1)

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Lord Jesus Christ, be with Gabriel this week. Give him your grace and teach him to learn more of your mercy with each passing day. Amen.

Prayer of the Week
Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

TUESDAY (December 22, 2020)
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)

Reading
“Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”” (2 Samuel 7:8–11, 16)

Meditation
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel! (LSB 357:1)

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Lord Jesus Christ, be with Betty this week. Give her your grace and teach her to learn more of your mercy with each passing day. Amen.

Prayer of the Week
Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer

MONDAY (December 21, 2020)
St. Thomas, Apostle
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel Sentence
“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)

Reading
“But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’” (2 Samuel 7:4–7)

Meditation
Love caused Your incarnation;
Love brought You down to me.
Your thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
Oh, love beyond all telling,
That led You to embrace
In love, all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race. (LSB 334:4)

Silence

Prayer for Holy Cross Member
Heavenly Father, bless Laura with faith in you and fervent love toward all those who cross her path this day. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle
Almighty and ever-living God, You strengthened Your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in the resurrection of Your Son. Grant us such faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that we may never be found wanting in Your sight; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lord’s Prayer