The Lutheran Order of Service for the Sunday after Christmas is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the holy Gospel of St. Luke chapter 2 verses 25-38 written by Pastor Mkhabela (Gamalakhe LC, KZN) in isiZulu (wz1506141227 ngeyokuqala emva komkhosi wokukhumbula ukuzwala kweNkosi) and translated as usual into seTswana (w1506141228 Sontaga wa 1 morago ga moletlo wa botsalo) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN)

The readings for this first Sunday after Christmas:

• Old Testament: Isaiah 49:13-16
• The Epistle: 1. John 1:1-4
• The Gospel: St. Luke 2:(22-24) 25-38 (39-40)
• Psalm: 93:1; 96:6; 93:2.5

The liturgical colour is white.

May you have a very blessed Christmas holiday and even have time to meditate on the watchword for this high festive season: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1,14)

We pray with the Collect for Christmas: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the new birth of Thine only begotten Son in the flesh may set us free, who are held in the old bondage under the yoke of sin; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, insight and wisdom, mercy, compassion, knowledge and clarity of both thought and speech – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen for God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.