December 7, 2025
Second Sunday of Advent _____________________________________________
Matthew 21:3 – “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”
Just a colt and her foal. How significant could they be? Could they really be used by the Lord for some great, heavenly purpose?
This is one facet of stewardship we often forget: the blessing it is to us to be of service in the Lord’s Kingdom. What honor the Lord bestows upon us by using our gifts for His goals!
LCMS Stewardship Bulletin Sentences
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Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1–10; Romans 15:4–13; Matthew 3:1–12
By Preaching Repentance, We Are Prepared for the Coming of the Lord
“John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent’” (Matthew 3:1–2). His preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins prepared people for the coming of Christ into the world.
St. John’s work was historically complete with the incarnate advent of Jesus, but his vital ministry continues in preaching Law and Gospel. The Son of God has come in the flesh, “a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots” (Isaiah 11:1), and continues to bear the fruits of righteousness. His good tree of the cross is “a signal for the peoples” (Isaiah 11:10), by which He calls the nations to repentance.
“With the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips” (Isaiah 11:4), He slays the wicked and brings the dead to life, making sons of Abraham out of lifeless stones. So also the “root of Jesse” comes to us, “even he who arises to rule the Gentiles” (Romans 15:12), that “we might have hope” and be filled “with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:4, 13).
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Life Thoughts for the Week
Second Sunday of Advent — “Children brightly signaled hope in our sin-infested world of old—consider the births of Seth, Isaac, Moses, Samson, Samuel, John, and, finally, of course and paramount, Jesus. And we, too, must become as children.”
James M. Kushiner, Fellowship of St. James – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
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