Advent 8- Waters of Baptism

December 4 

Feast of John of Damascus,

 theologian and hymn writer, c. 749

Read Exodus 3:1 – 17 and 15:1 – 21 

God heard the cries of his enslaved people and promised to rescue them. John of Damascus likened the release of the people of Israel from slavery and the destruction of Pharaoh’s troops in the Red Sea to our rescue from sin and the destruction of Satan’s power in the water of baptism and the blood of the risen Savior. 

This hymn, ‘Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain’ is one of the church’s most ancient Easter hymns and reflects the joy of the most ancient of the church’s written songs, that of Moses and Miriam recorded in the book of Exodus and referenced in the post communion canticle, ‘Thank the Lord.’

Come, you faithful, raise the strain Of triumphant gladness! 

God has brought His Israel Into joy from sadness,

Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke Jacob’s sons and daughters, 

Led them with unmoistened foot Through the Red Sea waters.

‘Tis the spring of souls today: Christ has burst His prison

And from three days’ sleep in death As a sun has risen;

All the winter of our sins, Long and dark, is flying

From His light, to whom is giv’n Laud and praise undying.

Now the queen of seasons, bright With the day of splendor,

With the royal feast of feasts Comes its joy to render,

Comes to gladden faithful hearts Which with true affection

Welcome in unwearied strain Jesus’ resurrection!

For today among His own Christ appeared, bestowing

His deep peace, which evermore Passes human knowing.

Neither could the gates of death Nor the tomb’s dark portal

Nor the watchers nor the seal Hold Him as a mortal.

Alleluia! Now we cry To our King immortal,

Who, triumphant, burst the bars Of the tomb’s dark portal.

Come, you faithful, raise the strain Of triumphant gladness! 

God has brought His Israel Into joy from sadness.

For the Family:

The symbol for this day, the cross rising from a baptismal shell shows that we have passed through the waters of baptism and now see the defeat of Satan in the power of the risen Christ. Hang this symbol on your Tree of Promise and give thanks that God has both rescued you and still preserves you, free from sin, death, and the power of the devil.

Advent 8 Bible Journaling-
Waters of Baptism
Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

Gluten Free Meringues

 Dora Pfitzer Meyermann- Mother of Natalie Hartwig

2 egg whites 

1 Cup sugar

½ Cup chopped dates

3/4 Cup chopped nuts

• Beat egg whites until stiff
• Beat in sugar
• Fold in dates and nuts
• Drop on greased baking sheet by teaspoon full
• Bake at 275 – 300 for 30 minutes. Cool before removing from sheet

I’ve always thought of meringues as Easter cookies because they have those big empty spots inside. Since these contain dates, a fruit of the Mediterranean, they seem to fit the hymn well. Mom regularly made 2 other meringue cookies at Christmas time. The Brown Sugar Puffs were Karen’s favorites. I much preferred the Beacon Hill Cookies.

Brown Sugar Puffs

2 egg whites pinch of cream of tarter

half a pound of light brown sugar ½ cup pecans

• Beat egg whites and cream of tarter until dry.
• Add brown sugar a teaspoon at a time.
• Beat for 10 more minutes
• Fold in nuts
• Drop by teaspoon on floured and greased cookie sheet. Shape like bonbons.
• Bake at 200 for 60 minutes.

Beacon Hill Cookies

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 eggs dash of salt

½ cup sugar ½ tsp. Vanilla ½ tsp. Vinegar

3/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

• Heat oven to 350. Melt chocolate chips over hot water. 
• Beat egg whites with salt till foamy. 
• Gradually add sugar, beating well. Beat until stiff peaks form. 
• Beat in vanilla and vinegar. 
• Fold in chocolate and nuts very gently. 
• Drop by tsp on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes

Mom got this recipe from one of her students at Concord Lutheran School, Pagedale, MO. I’m pretty sure that child got promoted at the end of the school year. The cookies quickly became a family favorite.

Tree of Promise Advent Devotions
Natalie Grace Hartwig