December
19

“Thank you, Lord.”

And she standing by, at the hour itself, confessed the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38)

The name “Asher” in scripture means blessedness, also the delight that belongs to affections for truth and goodness. This delight corresponds to the happiness of eternal life. When we perceive this delight within us, we are starting to become the Church. (AC 3939:1)

Here “to bless God” evidently means to glorify and give thanks because the Lord was to come into the world, to save all who receive Him. (AE 340:3)

Divine Providence has for its end nothing else than reformation and consequently salvation. This is its unceasing operation with everyone; and salvation can only be effected by the acknowledgment of the Divinity of the Lord, and by confidence that it is effected by Him when man lives according to His commandments. (DP 257:1)

In the conflicts or temptations of men the Lord works a particular redemption; as He wrought a total redemption when in the world. By conflicts and temptations in the world the Lord glorified His Human, that is, made it Divine; in like manner now with man individually, when he is in temptations, the Lord fights for him, conquers the evil spirits who are infesting him, and after temptation glorifies him, that is, renders him spiritual. After His universal redemption the Lord reduced to order all things in heaven and in hell; with man after temptation He does in like manner, that is, He reduces to order all the things of heaven and the world that are in him. After redemption the Lord established a new church; in like manner He also establishes what pertains to the church in man, and makes him to be a church in particular. After redemption the Lord bestowed peace upon those who believed on Him (TCR 599)

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