Pastor Steve’s Blog – December 16, 2025
Dear fellow redeemed,
Names have meaning. Either the word has a meaning, or a history that goes with the name, or the person named takes on significance that stays with that name.
For example, if you hear the name “Abraham Lincoln”, we all have memories of history books talking about him, and we remember events that he was involved in, such as the Civil War, his proclamation of slaves being free, the Gettysburg Address, and his assassination.
And when I hear the name “Sandra”, I will immediately think of my wife, and many, many fond memories of our time together.
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we hear four names: Joseph, Mary, Emmanuel, Jesus. Each of them carry a lot of information and history, drama and emotion. Joseph was told to take Mary as his wife, and to name their child Jesus. But the complication here is that the child was not Joseph’s biological son. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary. And so Jesus is rightly also named “Emmanuel”, which means “God with us”.
And so begins the Christmas story, which we celebrate every year. And it led to Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and continuing now in the Church and in glory!
Even though Jesus is a common name, both at the time of his birth, and in Spanish speaking countries, yet for many of us the name Jesus carries the history and powerful impact that He has on so many of us.
And so we usually add to the name Jesus, the title “Christ”. Christ is the Greek word that in Hebrew is “Messiah”. In English these words mean, “the anointed one”. The Christ, Messiah, Anointed one, is the one promised by God to deliver His people. And in Jesus of Nazareth, this happened, as in Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are delivered from the condemnation and powers of sin, death and the devil. As Martin Luther wrote in the meaning to the 2nd article of the creed, “Jesus Christ…has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with innocent suffering and death”.
Jesus is described in the Apostles’ creed as God’s “only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.”
So now what does all this mean to us? As Martin Luther wrote in the Small Catechism, in the meaning to the 2nd Article of the creed, Jesus is who he is and he did what he did, so “that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.”
Maybe that’s more than you want to absorb right now. That’s ok. You and I have a lifetime to learn, to grow, to live and to serve this Emmanuel: God with us. I know for me it will take all of this life and into eternity, to live, serve and worship this Savior and Lord of all! So join me, on Sundays and Christmas Eve at 4pm, and daily in our devotions, and in our conversations and life together as God’s redeemed people! As we trust in, follow, serve and worship Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
In Christ, with you,
– Pastor Steve
Pastor Steve’s 2-Minute Devotion – 12/17/25
Pastor’s Note – December 2025
Dear fellow redeemed,
Happy New Year! As in, “Happy New Church Year”!! For with Advent we begin a new church year. Advent prepares us for Christmas. Epiphany brings the message of Christmas to the world. Lent and Easter communicate the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ, Savior of all. And Pentecost highlights the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church throughout the year.
So, where does that leave us, as we gather here at Redeemer in Hartford? We are entering into another year of living as people of God, servants of the Lord, and as brothers and sisters of our Savior Jesus Christ.
There is much for us to do! Jesus tells us that he will build His Church (Matthew 16). And he will do so through us, His ambassadors, and servants. As we often hear in the ELCA, “God’s Church, Our Hands”. So we need to use all the resources that are available to us in this important work of ministry.
These resources of Redeemer congregation were consecrated, set aside for the holy work of God, on Nov. 2, at our Consecration Sunday. We prayed for God to use the time, talents, and resources that we have been given.
And now it is time for us to pick up those resources and use them in God’s Church. I know that each of you, and all of us, have time, skills, and financial resources that can be used in God’s Kingdom. I plead with you now to find the ways to do so.
For example, if you want to read the Scriptures in a Sunday Service, let us know so that we can add you to the schedule of lectors. If you have time and energy to help maintain and clean our church building, call the church office and we’ll connect you with the people and needs that you may be able to address. If you want to help reach out to our community in a mission or service, then let’s work together to make that happen. I would love to help you! If you want to help lead our congregation, helping to manage and prioritize the work of the church, then be assured that we can use you on our council or committees.
And that leads to one resource that has just been made available to you. We now have brochures for Redeemer Church. You will find them in the narthex. And the goal is to get them all out into our community! So pick up one or more and share it with a family member, friend, neighbor, or at work or a nearby business. Let’s get our name out into the Hartford community.
Thank you for all you do and all you have given to the ministry of Redeemer Church! You are the Church! May the Lord bless you and all of us as we work together to build His Church in our community and world.
With you in Christ,
– Pastor Steve
Redeemer Lutheran Church - Hartford, WI 