His Time - Christian Bioethics, Psalm 62, "The Birth of Jesus Christ"

1. Christian Bioethics

Today’s segment is an encore from January 4, 2016.

Dr. Bob Weise talks about issues related to Christian bioethics. Bioethics is the study of controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine. Bioethicists are concerned with the ethical questions that arise in the relationships among life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, politics, law, and philosophy.

About Dr. Weise: Dr. Robert W. Weise is professor of practical theology. Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois (B.S. in Ed. 1967); University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois (M.S. 1970, Ph.D. 1973); Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri (M.Div. 1982); instructor, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas (1972-73); research associate, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan (1973-74); assistant professor (1974-78); pastor, Zion, Bunker Hill, Illinois (1982-85); senior pastor, Our Savior’s, Springfield, Illinois (1985-92); associate professor, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri (1992-2002); professor since 2002; The Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis Chair in Pastoral Ministry and the Life Sciences since 1992. Find Dr. Weise’s bio here.

2. Meditation on the Day’s Psalm

Rev. Jonathan Fisk gives a meditation on the Psalm of the Day, Psalm 62:5-8, 11-12.

Psalm 62:5-8, 11-12

⁵For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
⁶He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
⁷On God rests my salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

⁸Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

¹¹Once God has spoken;
    twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
¹²    and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
    according to his work.

3. Daily Lectionary

Rev. Jonathan Fisk studies Luke 2:1-20.

4. Morning Prayer Sermonette

Today’s sermonette about remembering Wilhelm Loehe is given by Rev. Jonathan Fisk.

"The Bible is cradle wherein Christ is laid." - Martin Luther — “The Bible is cradle wherein Christ is laid.” – Martin Luther

Luke 2:1-20

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration when^[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,^[b] who was with child. ⁶And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.^[c]

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.¹²And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”^[d]

¹⁵When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.