Fourth Sunday in Advent: PEACE

It’s a Wonderful Truth: Heralding Angels

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”Revelation 22:16
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14

Chas. Wesley’s 1979 version: some thoughts:

Hark, how all the welkin rings, welkin = sky, high air
“Glory to the King of kings; written when King meant more
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, mercy mild (it can be severe)
God and sinners reconciled!” this is The Gospel

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, every tribe, tongue, and nation
Join the triumph of the skies; His victory comes from heaven
Universal nature say, Romans 8:18-23
“Christ the Lord is born to-day!” Son of Man; Son of God; Immanuel

Christ, by highest Heaven ador’d, John 17 & Father’s love for Him
Christ, the everlasting Lord: Alpha and Omega
Late in time behold him come, Actually, “in the fullness of time”
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb! In utero fertilization by Holy Spirit

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear,
Jesus! Our Immanuel here!
Soak in the wonder of this stanza’s poetic positioning of what  theologians call “the hypostaticunion

Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace! We don’t “hail” much anymore
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! This Righteousness now ours’
Light and life to all he brings, John 1 says it best
Risen with healing in his wings. By His stripes we are healed

Mild He lays his glory by, the Great Kenosis of Philippians
Born that man no more may die; John 3:16
Born to raise the sons of earth; Adam = of earth; 2nd Adam restores
Born to give them second birth. Now Nicodemus understands

Come, Desire of nations, come, Haggai 2:7
Fix in us thy humble home; Our hearts, Christ’s home
Rise, the woman’s conquering seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.  Promised to Eve in Genesis 3

Now display thy saving power, “Lazarus, come forth!”
Ruined nature now restore; “Behold, I make all things new.”
Now in mystic union join   That hypostatic union thing again!
Thine to ours, and ours to thine. Christ in you, the hope of glory

News & Announcements:

  • Prayer gatherings resume in January.
  • Advocate Bromenn Partners in Prayer Dec. – Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU)Located on 5 West, this 56-bed unit serves cardiac and pulmonary patients. It is the post Critical Care Unit, particularly for post cardiac surgery patients.
  • Attention Jr. High youth and their parents!  We have spots reserved for you and your friends at the Jan. 20-22 ICE CAMP Weekend Retreat at Miracle Camp.  We would love for any Jr. high students and their friends to join us!  More details coming soon!  Email Cary with questions.
  • Be blessed in serving dinner @ Home Sweet Home Mission on December 22. We have been asked to provide eight servers as HSHM provides a Christmas dinner to their clients. Ask Cary for details.\
  • Summer in the USA! Lord-willing, we will once again host Basque students next summer. It’s time to start planning and praying, praying and planning. If you want to play a part, please let Bob V. know.
  • Christmas Eve Service @ 5:30You. Pursued. By God.(a service of and for the entire family)
Posted by on Dec 16, 2011 in News & Updates, Programs | 0 comments

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