Gerhard and Walther

He called us by grace. Just as we did not, and could not, ever earn with our works that Christ chose us, so also we did not ever earn, nor could ever earn, with our worked that He deigned for us to be called into the kingdom of grace of His dear Son.—Johann Gerhard, Schola Pietatis I, pp. 73, 74.

Oh, blessed Advent time, when a person has such experiences! By preparing a way for the Lord, he has become a poor sinner and the gates of his heart stand open for the Lord to enter in grace. He embraces the Gospel, which is rich in comfort for sinners, and then, with inner longing, he welcomes the joyful Christmas celebration.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 50.