December 28, 2025

Scripture

Psalm 111: 1-4, 7-10 ~ Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful…The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

Reflection

Though December 28th is the feast day of the Holy Innocents who were ruthlessly slaughtered by Herod as recorded in the second chapter of Matthew, today we find strong reassurance in Psalm 111, our song of praise. Here we are reminded that God is faithful. The Lord keeps his promises. He is gracious and merciful, providing for our needs and redeeming us from all that is unrighteous.

I have preached a few sermons on the murder of these young children by “Herod the king in his raging.” I have listened to even more while sitting in a church pew. Most of those sermons were both eloquent and powerful. It is possible we may hear another such sermon this Sunday, December 28, 2025, at New Life.

But today, I invite you in this time of personal devotion to set aside the imagined ancient spectacle of bloody swords, and to put well behind you the murderous blasts of 21st century firearms. Contemplate, instead, the good gifts of our God who came to Earth as a human child, our Infant King. Bask in the brightness of the many blessings of his birth. Rejoice in his life of ministry to us on Earth. Rest in his peace after four long weeks of waiting patiently while pondering deeply. Give thanks with joy for the coming of our Savior just as we celebrated him on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year.

Then do as I do almost every year at this time. Read these words out loud penned by a woman named Melva Rorem and shared, with her permission, by a beloved president of Luther Seminary, Alvin N. Rogness, in his long-treasured book of 365 devotional readings, The Word For Every Day:

Prayer

May we, O Lord Jesus, like Mary your earthly mother, ponder these things in our hearts. May we also, like Joseph your earthly father, guard and keep you, most precious Word of Truth, from those who seek to destroy you. And guided by you, may we daily study your ways, your words, and your deeds, and delight in them! Amen.

Kristina Braaten-Lee

Oh, I would sing of Mary’s Child

Cradled upon the hay

And of the little birds that sang

For him on Christmas day.

Oh, I would sing of Mary’s Child

Who all God’s children reconciled.

She held him up against the sky,

She heard his infant new-born cry,

And melody became a part

Of Christmas joy in Mary’s heart.

Throughout the years her gentle song

Has echoed, swelled, and lingered long

While thousand alleluias ring

In great crescendos to the King.

With joy she heard his new-born cry,

She held him up against the sky.