Devotional Thought of the Day:

Agnus Dei

Lamb of God
Son of God
You take away our sin
Lamb of God
Son of God
You take away our sin

Grant us peace!  Grant us peace!
Grant us peace! Grant us your peace!
Your peace

In a little less than an hour, those words , so familiar to Lutheran deacons, will be reintroduced to them with a new melody, as they kick off the afternoon session of their annual continuing ed conference.

They are the words we sing – after the words of institution, after the the passing of the peace, as we re-focus, and think about the Lord, and about His supper, and about why we find this feast to be The Feast.

When I got to my present church, this was when the pastor and the elders communed – while everyone else sang.  Now, we wait till after to sing, because I need the time to realize His presence, to examine myself and realize my incredible need for that presence, to comfort, to heal, to make me aware of His love, His mercy, His peace.  To welcome me to the feast where He is the host (and the double meaning of that word intended)

But I would advise you, to do the same – to take that time before communion, to stop and consider….

There He is!  There is the Lamb of God, the very one John the Baptist pointed out to His disciples.  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…. So let our cries go out to Him.  Lord – grant us peace, grant us your peace!!!!!

And as we leave every burden at the rail… as He takes them from us…may we walk away with a smile that betrays the fact that because He has invited us there…. we do know His peace.

Look – there He is… the Lamb of God… for you!

And so may you voice with Simeon – as you take and drink, as you receive His gift…

Nunc Dimittis

O Lord now let your servants depart in heavenly peace
For we have seen the great salvation of Christ our Lord

For-told by the prophets
fulfilled for all to see
A light unto the nations
and Israel’s glory

 All glory to the Father

All glory to the Son
All glory to the Spirit

The Great God Three in One

As it was in the beginning
Is now and shall ever be
Amen! Amen! Amen!

For you are His…forever!

Lamb (Photo credit: freefotouk)