Over the last number of months we at Our Saviour have been remembering those who have run the race and gone on before us in the faith in our prayers. We have been thanking God for their witness and example and praying that God would enable us to follow their examples of faith and life as it applies to each of us.
However, not all of the names of those we have been remembering have been familiar to all. And so, to help us in our remembrance and to to see the examples of their faith that we may follow them as runners who have already finished the race by God’s grace, I have decided to write small introductions to all those we remember (as well as any special days) that we might grow in our faith together.
All of these saints and days can be found in Lutheran Service Book on pages xi-xiii. Those that are italicized are not found in LSB, but are in Liturgies et Cantiques Luthériens, the French language hymnal prepared by LCC and used by our French-speaking sister congregations as well as French Lutherans around the world. These can also be found on pages xi-xiii of the LCL.
All Scripture quotations are from the Evangelical Heritage Version (find more information here). All Old Testament dates are based on The Lutheran Study Bible from CPH.
January 1: Circumcision of our Lord and Name of Jesus
Our new year begins right away with a festival which is centred on the life of our Lord. This day commemorates and remembers the Lord’s first step in His fulfilling of the Law for us: His circumcision, making Him under the covenant of Israel. We also remember this day His naming and so celebrate His name. These events are spoken of only very briefly in Luke 2:21. Unlike today where children are named at birth, often at this time the male children would officially be named at their circumcision eight days later. That is why we remember this today, January 1 being eight days after Christmas. This day is also the day which the Lord also began His passive obedience. That is, this is the first time which our Lord shed His blood for us, pointing forward to the cross where He would shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins after fulfilling the Law for us. Jesus’ name is also good to meditate on. For in His name we see who He is and what He accomplishes for: The Lord is Salvation. Throughout the year, as we remember those who have gone before us, may we always keep our eyes forward on Jesus, their saviour and ours.
After eight days passed, when the child was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luke 2:21
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11
January 2: J. K. Wilhelm Loehe, Pastor
Johann Konrad Wilhelm Loehe (February 21, 1808 – January 2, 1872) was a pastor who was very influential in the founding of the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, our mother church body. Loehe was responsible for training many men in the ministry who would be sent to America as pastors for newly founded congregations and as missionaries. He thought that it was especially important that those he trained as missionaries would not only serve the German speaking people, but also the First Nations who lived on the edges of the frontier. He also helped organize a number of groups who would settle in Michigan. At the founding convention of the LCMS, over half of the pastors present were men trained by Loehe. In addition to training pastors, Loehe also instituted and trained an order of women called deaconesses who strove to serve the people of God and their neighbours through acts of charity and mercy. All this he was able to do without leaving his parish in Neuendettelsau, Bavaria.
And how can they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news of peace, who preach the gospel of good things!”
Romans 10:15
January 3: Genevieve
Genevieve (c. 419/422 – 502/512) was an exemplary Christian woman who devoted her life to a life of service to God’s people in and around Paris. Genevieve never married as from a young age she knew she wanted to serve the Church through acts of love and mercy and at that time that was not something she would have been able to do had she married. She remained at home and took care of both of her parents until their deaths, afterwards, she moved to Paris. One particular story demonstrates her love for God’s people. During the siege of Paris by Childeric I, a non-Christian Frankish king, Genevieve bravely left the city in order to gather food to bring to the poor and needy who were especially suffering. She also went to Childeric in order to plead with him to release many of the prisoners of war which he had captured. Childeric was so moved by her faith that he obliged. In addition, Genevieve is remembered for her constant prayer and her encouragement of her brothers and sisters in Christ to prayer, especially in difficult times, something we can always be encouraged to as well.
Walk in wisdom in the way you act toward those on the outside, making the most of your opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you know how you are to answer each person.
Colossians 4:5-6
January 6: The Epiphany of our Lord
After the season of Christmas we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord. However, because this feast is tied to a specific day, rather than a Sunday, sometimes we may miss it. Epiphany comes from a Greek word which means “manifestation” or “appearance.” This rightly describes the day as Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of Jesus Christ as God in the flesh to the Gentiles. Thus, this day surrounds the visit of the Magi (Gentiles most likely from Babylon) and their bringing of gifts and worship to the Lord Jesus. Thus, Jesus is manifested as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as these men from other nations come to worship Him. Epiphany is also closely related to the other manifestations of Jesus’ divinity. As the first Sunday after the Epiphany is the Sunday where we remember the Baptism of our Lord. The following Sundays all likewise look at His various miracles which show His divinity. Finally, the season of Epiphany ends with the Transfiguration, the revelation of His glory to His three chosen disciples before He begins His journey to Jerusalem to die for the sins of the world.
After listening to [Herod], they went on their way. Then the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them, until it stood still over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with overwhelming joy. After they went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:9-11
January 10: The Cappadocian Fathers
The Cappadocian Fathers are three pastors and theologians from the region of Cappadocia (in modern day Turkey) in the fourth century: Basil the Great (330 – 379), his brother Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335 – 395), and their close friend Gregory of Nazianzus (329 – 389). These three theologians were defenders of Trinitarian orthodoxy including both the full divinity and full humanity of Jesus against those that denied one or the other. These three were also instrumental in helping to formulate the wording of the third article of the Nicene Creed (more properly, the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed) at the First Council of Constantinople in 381. And so, whenever we confess the Nicene Creed together as a congregation, we are confessing what these men helped to write as we confess before the world and one another the truth about our great God and Saviour.
But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you.
1 Peter 3:15
January 14: Hilary of Poitiers, Theologian
Hilary of Poitiers (c. 310 – 367) was another fourth century theologian and defender of the orthodox faith against heretics. What makes Hilary unique is that unlike many of the great early fourth century theologians is that he wrote in Latin rather than Greek because he was from the West, specifically Gaul, in modern France. Hilary was born to a pagan family and raised with a pagan education in both Latin and Greek. When he later undertook to read the Old and New Testament the Lord worked through the Word to convert him to the true faith. As a result Hilary, his wife, and daughter were all baptized. Hilary was eventually elected as bishop of Poitiers and in this role was especially important in teaching the true faith and driving out Arianism, keeping it from becoming entrenched in Gaul. Because of his convictions, Hilary was eventually exiled for 4 years. During these years he continued to defend the faith through writing. He left writings including a book On the Trinity as well as books exegeting the Scriptures. He also leaves for us an example of one who suffered during his life on account of Christ.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. In fact, that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12
January 15: Remi, Pastor and Missionary to the Franks
Remi (c. 437 – January 13, 533), most often known as Remigius in English, is the first of the great missionaries that we remember in the year. As a civil servant Remi was well known in the city of Reims for his piety and knowledge of the Scriptures so that while still a layman he was elected bishop of the city (this happened with multiple early Church leaders as we will see this year!). Remi is most known for his missionary work among the Frankish people, especially that of Clovis, the king of the Franks. Through Remi’s preaching, as well as the witness of one of Clovis’ Christian wives Clothilde (more on that later in the year), the king eventually converted to the true faith and was baptized on Christmas 496. With this, many of the other Frankish nobles and leaders also desired to be baptized. As a result of this Remi, who was a well respected pastor and teacher, oversaw much of the teaching and missionary work among the Franks ensuring that they had good teachers across the kingdom to teach the faith and lead the people. The example of Remi and all missionaries encourages us to follow in sharing the good news with those around us.
[Jesus] told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Luke 10:2
January 18: The Confession of St. Peter
In the early Church, two Apostles stand out among the Twelve in the book of Acts: Peter and Paul. Because the Lord had used these men in great ways for the advancement of the Gospel the Church has seen fit to honour them with two days each. One which they share together, and one each which commemorates an important event in their lives as Christ’s Apostles. The first which we remember is the Confession of St. Peter. This commemorates and celebrates the event which happens in Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, and Luke 9:18-21. Here we have the confession that Jesus is the “Christ, the Son of the living God” as Peter’s answer to the question to the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” This confession was not something that Peter was able to come up with himself or something which he was told by others, but rather something that was revealed to him by God the Father. This confession, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God is the solid rock upon which the Church is founded and upon which she stands so that even the gates of hell will not prevail against her. This confession of Peter stands as the basis for all later confessions of the Church from the Apostles’ Creed to the Formula of Concord. On the basis of this confession Jesus also first promises the Office of the Keys to Peter in this instance which He would later then give to the whole Church to be exercised by her office holders on her behalf (Matthew 18:18-20, John 20:21-23). Truly it is right to give thanks to God for this confession of Peter which we hold today.
[Jesus] said to them, “But you, who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:15-16
January 20: Sarah, Matriarch
On this day we commemorate our first Old Testament saint, Sarah (c. 2156 – c. 2030 BC), the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. Sarah was originally born Sarai (Genesis 11:29) but when the Lord instituted the covenant of circumcision with Abraham and changed his name He also changed Sarai’s to Sarah as she would be the mother of many nations, even in her old age (Genesis 17:15-16). The account of Sarah is the first of the many accounts of barren women in the Old Testament who are then blessed with a child of promise by the Lord. These miraculous births, beginning with Sarah, all point to the virgin birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as types and shadows. These show us that the Lord has always been preparing our salvation through His Son. Because of Sarah’s belief in the promises of God, she too is one who held to the true faith. The difference from us, however, is that she looked forward to the Christ while we look back to Him. Even though Sarah originally doubted the Lord’s promise of a son, the Lord was still faithful (Genesis 18:10-15; 21:1). Thanks be to God for His faithfulness to His promises, even when we are not always faithful to Him!
Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.” She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne a son for him in his old age.”
Genesis 21:6-7
January 24: St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor
Timothy (c. 17 – c. 97), was one of the companions of Paul on his missionary journeys and eventually was left by Paul in Ephesus to oversee the Church in that place, making him the first bishop of Ephesus. Timothy was especially beloved of Paul and Paul viewed him as his child in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2). Timothy met Paul while he was in Lystra. His mother was a Jewish Christian while his father was a Greek. It does not appear that his father was Christian, as it was his mother Lois and grandmother Eunice that taught him in the Scriptures from his infancy (2 Timothy 3:15). Timothy was the recipient of two letters from Paul (1 and 2 Timothy) and was present with Paul when he wrote six of his letters (2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and Philemon). When Paul was awaiting martyrdom in Rome, he summoned Timothy to come and be with him. While the Scriptures do not speak to his death, traditionally it is held that the Lord granted Timothy the crown of martyrdom in Ephesus while he interrupted a pagan religious procession in order to preach the Gospel of Jesus to them in his old age. Timothy is thus an example of a faithful pastor, friend, and witness of the Gospel.
I am entrusting this instruction to you, Timothy, my child, according to the prophecies about you, which were made earlier, so that by them you may fight the good fight, with faith and a good conscience.
1 Timothy 1:18-19a
January 25: The Conversion of St. Paul
This is the second feast day that is paired with that of the Confession of St. Peter which commemorates an event in the lives of Christ’s Apostles. This remembers and celebrates the conversion of Paul from a prosecutor of the Church to the great Apostle to the Gentiles. The event is recorded in Acts 9:1-19 where the Lord Jesus appears to Paul while he is on the way to Damascus in order to arrest Christians and as a result of this Christophany Paul is blinded. It ends with his baptism at the hands of Ananias in Damascus. This event, orchestrated by Christ, was a pivotal moment in Paul’s life. He himself recounts it two more times in Acts (22:1-16; 26:1-18) as well as twice in his letters (1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Galatians 1:11-16). It was at this time when the Lord appeared to Paul that he was given the command that he will be the Lord’s special servant in the mission to the Gentiles. This event thus began the great events of the second half of the book of Acts and all the rest of Paul’s work as an Apostle of Jesus in spreading the Gospel of salvation as well as writing over half of the books which make up the New Testament Scriptures. It is truly good, right, and salutary to give thanks to God for this great event in the history of the Church and the world.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that he appeared to over five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, and then to all the apostles. Last of all, he appeared also to me, the stillborn child, so to speak.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
January 26: St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor
Titus (1st century AD – c. 97/107) was another companion of Paul and recipient of a pastoral epistle like Timothy, as such, it is appropriate to commemorate both Titus and Timothy bookending the Conversion of St. Paul. Compared to Timothy, we know relatively little about Titus’ life. However, we do know that he himself was a Greek convert to Christianity, and unlike Timothy, whom Paul had circumcised to help with missionary efforts among the Jews, Paul refused to let Titus be circumcised in order to help combat the spread of the Judiazing heresy which said one needed to be circumcised and keep all the law to be saved (Galatians 2:3). Titus was also a trusted companion of Paul as he was used to carry important letters for him to the churches such as Paul’s lost “severe letter” to Corinth as well as 2 Corinthians (2 Corinthians 7). Eventually Paul left Titus in Crete in order to appoint pastors in all the congregations and oversee the growth of the Church there (Titus 1:5). Tradition holds that unlike many of the early Christian leaders, the Lord granted Titus a peaceful death.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared, he saved us—not by righteous works that we did ourselves, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs in keeping with the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:4-7
January 27: John Chrysostom, Preacher and Confessor
John Chrysostom (c. 347 – September 14, 407), was an important early Church Father from Antioch in Syria and was eventually made archbishop of Constantinople, the imperial capital of the Roman Empire at the time. John was renowned for his preaching and was given the name Chrysostom, which means golden-mouthed. While singled out for the ministry, at first, he was reluctant to join, as he did not consider himself worthy of the office. Eventually he was ordained and in doing so took both the pastoral care and preaching parts of the office very seriously. This always remained with him, even as he advanced to overseeing the church in the capital of the empire where he still occupied himself with preaching and the pastoral care of all the members of his congregation rather than leaving that to other pastors under his supervision. The Lord had made John Chrysostom a brave and faithful preacher who was not afraid to preach the truth, even if it was unpopular, to those who had power in the empire. This included most famously the Empress Eudoxia whom he rebuked for her lavish lifestyle and pride. Because of this, Chrysostom was eventually exiled, where he died in 407. While most commemorations are on the day of one’s “heavenly birthday,” on days when they may interfere with others a different day is chosen (such as their birth). This day is the day when Chrysostom’s earthly remains arrived in Constantinople from his place of exile and were laid to rest. John Chrysostom is an example of a faithful pastor to pastors, and of one who speaks the truth of Christ no matter what to all.
Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:2
This concludes this month’s feasts, festivals, and commemorations. Join us next month as we continue to look at those the Church has remembered over the years as examples for the faithful to follow and give thanks and praise to God for.