As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold; As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright, So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore be led by Thee!

As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to Thy lowly bed, There to bend the knee before Thee whom heaven and earth adore, So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy-seat!

As they offered gifts most rare At Thy cradle, rude and bare, So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin's alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King!

Holy Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way; And when earthly things are past. Bring our ransomed souls at last Where they need no star to guide, Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

Devotion

A Wise Man's Prayer

When they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

Christmas Myth: Three kings came from the east to worship Jesus.

Christmas Fact: The men who came to worship Jesus were not kings, they were magi/ astronomers, not rulers. Also Scripture does not indicate how many there were; we know there were wise men, so there were at least two.

Christmas Myth: The wise men were at the manger on the night Jesus was born.

Christmas Fact: The wise men found the child, Jesus, in a Bethlehem house with Mary His mother. Scripture does not tell us how old Jesus was, but He may have been up to two years old. We know this because Herod ordered all of the male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and younger to be killed. Herod based the age "according to the time which he had determined from the wise men" (Matthew 2:16).

There is a good deal of legend and myth surrounding the men who followed a star to worship the newborn King of the Jews. This is not surprising because it is a very intriguing story. Nor should we be surprised that Scripture does not provide all of the details we might like to know because those details are not needed for the purpose of God's Word which is "...that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 21:31).

What we are told about the wise men is part of God's truth and wisdom recorded in His Word for our learning. May the spirit bless such learning toward the blessing of our souls!

Led by the Lord

Imagine setting off on the wise men's journey! We don't know how many miles they traveled, but it was many. We don't know what, if any, dangers they faced along the way, but their trip was not simply a matter of getting into a vehicle and driving. Nor did the wise men know where they were going. The wise men initiated their journey based only on what they knew from God's promises concerning the coming King of the Jews and on their observation of the star God placed in the sky to announce Jesus' birth.

The wise men first went to Jerusalem expecting to find the new King in the capital city. Further investigation of Scripture by the scribes in Jerusalem revealed that the Savior was to be born in Bethlehem. As the wise men journeyed to Bethlehem, the star led them to the house where they found Jesus.

Led by the words of Scripture and the star which God provided, the wise men pursued their journey under the Lord's direction.

Though we are often tempted by our flesh and urged by the world to pursue our way, the only wise path is the one that follows the Lord's leading.

Worshipped the King

The sole purpose of the wise men's journey was to worship the King of the Jews and Savior of the world. The time spent on the trip and the time lost to other pursuits, the monetary cost, the physical wear and tear, the potential for danger-all was as nothing because of the importance of worshipping the Son of God.

Indeed, Jesus our Savior is of greater importance than anything or anyone else. He is the Son of God and worthy of our worship, our honor, praise and thanksgiving. He is the One-and only one-through whom we have the forgiveness of sins and through whom alone we can be children of God. A wise individual does not let anything stand in the way of worshipping our Savior.

Offered Gifts

Part of the wise men's worship was presenting Jesus their gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These precious gifts were of great value and were likely what provided the financial resources for Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to flee to Egypt and live there. The wise men's gifts were gladly given from what God had given them. They gave their gifts to show their thankfulness and love and to honor their God and Savior. We can be certain that God used their gifts to provide for His Son and His earthly family, whether they were specifically used for the trip to Egypt or not.

God blesses us with gifts and resources. A wise heart filled with thanksgiving rejoices to bring gifts to God and does so with the confidence that He will use them for His purposes and to His glory.

Enlightened with God's wisdom we pray:

Most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led by You. May we with willing feet seek Your mercy seat. May we with holy joy bring our costliest treasures to You, Jesus, our heavenly King. Amen.

— Pastor Wayne C. Eichstadt

The Ministry at Immanuel

Expansion-Relocation

As reported in the Immanuel Lutheran Church bulletin on December 16, 2007, the voters of Immanuel passed the following resolution on December 10, 2007:

"That we begin negotiations for the intent to purchase both parcels of the Muellerleile Family Property (DBA/Twin Pines Acres) #R43-09-21-126-003 & #R43-09-21-126-002."

The vote was 42-2. A subsequent motion determined that the congregation will use Lindstrom Commercial Realtors to negotiate the matter on our behalf. The Church Council has since then designated the Expansion-Relocation Committee as the congregation's liaison with Lindstrom.

The Muellerleile Family Property is a 40.68 acre plot of land located just to the north of County Highway 83. The parcel is across the highway from United Building Centers (UBC) in the southeast corner of Mankato. The parcel is divided north to south into two sections: a 14 acre section and a 26.68 acre section. The owners wish to sell the two pieces of property together.

It is important for our members to note a number of things regarding this decision made by the voters on December 10:

First of all, the decision made was not to purchase land, but rather to begin negotiations for the intent to purchase. It remains to be seen whether or not the Lord will bless the negotiations and provide us an opportunity to consider the purchase of this property at some time in the future.

Secondly, our members should keep in mind that the voters have not decided to relocate at this point. Rather, they have deemed it prudent to look into the purchase of land so that at some future point if the congregation feels it should relocate, it will be able to do so in the most effective and cost-efficient way.

Thirdly, our Expansion-Relocation Committee has been active for over a year reviewing numerous pieces of property in both Mankato and North Mankato. After much study and discussion, they feel the Muellerleile Family Property offers Immanuel the best opportunity for relocation, should that decision be made at some time in the future.

It may be helpful to review briefly what has led up to this decision by the voters. The congregation's Long Range Planning Committee recommended to the voters at their April 2002 meeting that information be gathered regarding our present facility and its ability to meet our future need for expansion. A Relocation-Exploration Committee was appointed at the October 2003 congregational meeting to prepare a report for the voters on our physical needs and to formulate a master plan to address those needs in the best possible way.

The Relocation-Exploration Committee conducted a congregational survey during the early months of 2004 to seek congregational input concerning long range facility plans, pros and cons of relocation and other options, and to learn the congregation's general thoughts on the matter. The results of that survey were provided in the April 2004 issue of the Immanuel Home Messenger.

Upon the recommendation of the Relocation-Exploration Committee, the voters sent five representatives to Vanman Companies' Building for Ministry seminar in Brooklyn Center, MN on March 13, 2004.

The Relocation-Exploration Committee also recommended to the voters that the congregation spend up to $5,000 to have a feasibility study made of the best way to meet our future needs-either at our present location or at a new site. In the fall of 2004, the voters chose Paulsen Architects of Mankato to conduct the study. Throughout the winter months of 2004-2005 representatives of Paulsen met with various segments of the congregation seeking their input. The Paulsen report was completed and presented to the congregation on April 18, 2005. The report provided information and recommendations both for expansion at our present location and at a new location.

At the July 2005 congregational meeting it was decided to create a new Expansion-Relocation Committee to continue the work of guiding the congregation forward in its efforts to determine the best possible way to meet our future expansion needs. The committee's recommendation to find suitable land for a possible future relocation was accepted at the July 2006 congregational meeting. The committee has been at work for the eighteen months searching for property. This search led to its discovery of the Muellerleile Family Property and subsequent recommendation to begin negotiations to purchase it.

As we proceed in this matter, it is important that we bring it before the Lord in prayer. We must seek His guidance and counsel, so that whatever decisions are made, God will be glorified and His kingdom work enhanced among us!

— Pastor Paul D. Nolting

"If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." James 4:15

Christian Women's Retreat

You restored me to health and let me live!

Immanuel will sponsor its annual Christian Women's Retreat on April 18-20, 2008 at the Days Inn Hotel and Conference Center in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. It is a conference our women will not want to miss! This year's theme is taken from Isaiah 38:16: "You restored me to health and let me live!"

This year's program will focus on many practical issues facing Christians as they seek to follow their Savior in this life.

The opening study Friday evening will consider how Jesus helped individuals deal with a variety of problems during His ministry. It is titled: The Lord deals with the Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Problems of His people.

Saturday morning topics include: Christian Friendships; Using Christian Discernment When Striving for Change; My Attitude and My Life; and Act, Based on Truth, Not on Lies.

Saturday afternoon will be a challenge because participants will only be able to choose four out of the following ten mini-sessions: Special Needs Children, Faith-Booking; Exercise for All, Massage Therapy, Three Inspirational Crafts (to make and take), the Beauty of Watercolor, Day Brighteners with Mary Kay, CPR, Reading Nutritional Labels, and Group Hiking in the Aixon Forest (two hours).

The Saturday evening banquet will be followed by a weighty presentation: Dealing With Three Sources of Emotional Pain: Feeling Broken, Lonely, and Unworthy! That, in turn, will be followed by several hours of light-hearted entertainment.

An after-hours conversation will be held to discuss How to Deal with Sin when the Hurt is Caused by Other Christians.

A final Sunday morning presentation will encourage everyone to Be in Harmony with One Another. The conference will end with a worship service which will direct the women's hearts and minds to the One who both restores and enables!

The cost for the weekend will be between $120-$150, depending upon room arrangements. Limited financial assistance is available for those who cannot afford the cost. For additional information on such scholarships please contact Ruth Mueller (507-387-6788). For other questions please contact Pastor Paul D. Nolting (507-387-7035; 507-345-3027).

— Pastor Paul D. Nolting

Bible Class

Romans

"This epistle...is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. We can never read it or ponder over it too much; for the more we deal with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes."

"In this epistle we find most abundantly the things that a Christian ought to know, namely, what is law, gospel, sin, punishment, grace, faith, righteousness, Christ, God, good works, love, hope, and the cross; and also how we are to conduct ourselves toward everyone, be he righteous or sinner, strong or weak, friend or foe-and even toward our own selves."

— Martin Luther

Starting Sunday, January 6:

The Sunday morning Bible Class will be studying the book of Romans.

Our study will be an in depth, verse by verse examination of the book of Romans.

Bible Class begins at 8:15 a.m.