The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”

Today we begin to look at the light of joy.

Our Scripture talks about the dry, parched wilderness rejoicing and blooming with fragrant flowers as we begin to see the majesty and glory of God.  Although you’ve just read the NRSV of the text, I’d like you to read part of it again from The Message. The title of the passage is “The Voiceless Break into Song”.

Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower – like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color.  Mountain glories of Lebanon – a gift.  Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon – gifts.  God’s resplendent glory, fully on display.  God awesome, God majestic.

Can’t you hear the music in the passage?   I can see the rose bud sprouting and blooming everywhere.  I can feel the thunder from the skies when Elijah prayed, God sending fire down to consume the burnt offering on the altar in response.  I can hear the angels singing Gloria in excelsis Deo while the shepherds worshipped the baby in His mother’s arms.

At times, we as Christians may feel like the voiceless.  It can be hard to express our faith publicly, especially around the holiday season. We are surrounded by so many secular images and pressures that the true meaning of the season can get lost. But the Scripture tells us to take courage, be strong and know that God is coming to save us.  We should break into song.  Yes!, we can sing with joyful anticipation of the coming Savior, born in a manger to redeem us all.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be like a child again, hopping on one foot in excitement during this Advent season.  I want to look forward to the birth of my Lord.  I want to sing GREAT IS OUR JOY! from the rafters.

God is awesome and majestic.  Nothing is better than joyfully praising Him in song.

Written by Denise Engelhardt, Music Director and Pianist

What am I passionate about at Heritage?
I am passionate about the music of this church, of course.  But I also love the people who are always encouraging each other in good times and bad.

“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

When we slow down and look around, we see great conflicts and wide human suffering, here and across the world. When we slow down and look around, we are struck by the enormous difficulties that can occur in individual lives.

Such situations could make anyone despondent. But there is also a parallel flowing of human compassion, generously-offered aid and support, and a love that overcomes or sustains in any circumstance . That goodness comforts the troubled heart.

Each Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, is celebrated. Because of his life and message, the possibility of peace is a reality even as it appears that the world has gone awry. For those who see with a wider vision, there is a greater power at work in our disturbing world. It is God, who continues to hold fast to God’s floundering creation. The peace and Presence promised by Jesus will prevail, for we are not left alone.

For years, many people sang this popular folk song:

“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth,
the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers (sisters)
all are we. Let us walk with our brothers in perfect harmony…”

That song expresses a hope for the peace offered through Jesus’ words, but it also reminds us that we are to become daily bearers of peace to those that have little peace. May peace on earth, in human hearts and lives, begin afresh each day through us by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Prayer: Lord, as we remember the birth of the Prince of Peace, we are filled with a gratitude that is both humbling and hopeful. Even though the world is peppered still with external threats and inner turbulence, it is also laced with hope and love. Even though human life contains mistakes, mishaps, and mixed-up people, we are nevertheless upheld by your promised Presence. Move through our lives, dear Lord. As we are given your peace, enable us to become bearers of that peace to others and the world. In Christ’s holy name, we pray. Amen.

Written by Rev. Robin Gantz
What am I passionate about at Heritage?
I am passionate about the outreach ministry that embodies the teachings of Christ here at Heritage…people putting their faith into action to create a better world! I am proud of our youth groups and their involvement, future leaders in the faith!

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Group projects are disliked across the board.  No matter what the subject or the topic, there is usually an audible groan when a teacher announces that the students will be working in teams to complete a project.  The reason that no one likes group projects is that, very quickly, the group falls into an imbalance between the hard working students and those that are perfectly content with having their work competed by said hard working students.  Inevitably someone in the group will not pull their weight and do their assigned piece of the project and someone else will have to do it for them in order for the whole group to not get marked down.  Sometimes this lack of effort can cause major friction in the group and even fights to occur.

I, thankfully, have not had to endure one of these projects for a number of years now, but a few weeks ago I had a conversation with some of our church’s youth who were venting about their struggles with an English group project where they had to write a paper as a group. The whole premise of this type of group project baffles me.   I could not imagine writing a paper with other students.  Everyone writes differently and has different phrasings or ways that they put paragraphs together that might clash with someone else’s way of doing it.  Even you now might be reading this and thinking to yourself that you would phrase what I am saying differently than I did.  The students would really have to work hard to obtain cohesion with each other to make the paper readable and so that others would be able to understand the message they were trying to get across. It seems impossible.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul is like a teacher giving out a group assignment.  In the project instructions he makes it very clear that they are all one group and they need to figure out a way to finish their project peacefully.  Their project topic is Christ.  Their task is to glorify God with everything they say and do….all the time. This was a group project for the early church that we are still working on as God’s church today.

Most teachers give check in dates for teams to turn in parts of their projects for review.  This is to make sure that the students are on track and everyone is where they need to be.  Advent is our yearly check in date.  It is a yearly reminder that we are called to something bigger than ourselves.  It gives us a chance to assess if we need to change something about how we have been living.   Paul knows that we will all struggle.  We will not get it right all the time.  We will not have perfect harmony with everyone at all times.  It might be the hardest project that we have ever been given. But together, Paul has hope we can accomplish it, because of our group leader – Jesus Christ himself. So, whether you are one of those hard-working students or one who has slacked off a bit on the assignment, take some time this advent season to check in with your team members to find out how we can all live in and through Christ all year round.

Written by Matt Milford
What am I passionate about at Heritage?
I am passionate about our youth program and helping them to grow in their faith and knowledge of God.

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace. 

All of us are called by a name.  Some are called by multiple names.  To most I am Jordan.  To my Nephews I am Uncle J.J.  When I got in trouble I was Jordan James.  To some I’m Mr. Hofmeister (although I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being called that).  Some of us are called Mom or Dad, Grandma or Grandpa, Doctor, Nurse, and even Pastor.  There was Alexander the Great, Ivan the Terrible and Richard the Lionheart.  Jesus was called many things.  He was called Immanuel, Lamb of God, Light of the World, the Messiah, the Savior, the Almighty One.  Before his birth, the great prophets predicted his coming.

The Prophet Isaiah 9:6 proclaims:

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

He is the Prince of Peace.  What does that mean?  Will he end all conflict?  Will he bring the end of war and bring peace to the world?  The Jews wondered the same thing.  The prophet Micah does not say that he will bring peace but that he will “be our peace”.  He is the peace within us.  He brings us into a spiritual harmony with God and helps us to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.  He lives in our hearts and listens to our prayers.  The peace of a baby born in manger and who died on the cross.  The peace that comes with knowing he saves us from our sins.  The peace of grace.

May the peace of the Lord, Jesus Christ be with you.

Written by Jordan Hofmeister, HPC Choir Director and Elder
What am I passionate about at Heritage?
“Helping to lead the congregation in worship through music.”

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

My grandfather was a fan of poetry, and almost every visit would pull open an anthology and have me read, out loud, one of his favorites. Usually it was Robert Frost, but occasionally he delved into other writers, like Frank Lebby Stanton, a longtime popular editorial columnist for the Atlanta Constitution who was named Georgia’s first Poet Laureate in 1925. Among his many writings is a turn of the century poem titled, “Keep a’Goin.” It reads:

Ef you strike a thorn or rose,
Keep a-goin’!
Ef it hails, or ef it snows,
Keep a-goin!
‘Taint no use to sit an’ whine,
When the fish ain’t on yer line;
Bait yer hook an’ keep a-tryin’—
Keep a-goin’!

When the weather kills yer crop,
Keep a-goin’!
When you tumble from the top,
Keep a-goin’!
S’pose you’re out of every dime,
Bein’ so ain’t any crime;
Tell the world you’re feelin’ prime—
Keep a-goin’!

When it looks like all is up,
Keep a-goin’!
Drain the sweetness from the cup,
Keep a-goin’!
See the wild birds on the wing,
Hear the bells that sweetly ring,
When you feel like sighin’ sing—
Keep a-goin’!

Stanton’s poem is encouraging and uplifting, a reminder that no matter what is stacked against you, to keep moving forward. This, too, is the message Paul brings to the early church in many of his letters, including the one to the Philippians. Our verses for today come from the end of his letter, and are some of the last instructions Paul gives to the faith community. He urges them to be grounded in their faith, and to cling to those lessons they have learned to center them in this crazy world. Verse 9 calls them to “keep a goin.!” in confidence that God is with them.

Advent is our call to keep going towards those grand promises God has made. This week we contemplate the notion of peace, which can seem far off in a world fraught with conflicts big and small. And yet, we are moving toward a night when the angels will proclaim “peace on earth, good will to all people.” In anticipation of that night, we must “keep a goin’” towards that lofty goal. Paul’s verses give us some excellent ways to get there – truth and honor, pure and pleasing, praise. If these are the central core values we carry, and if we continue to seek to follow Christ’s example, there is hope for peace. It is hard work, but step by step we can live into its reality, with God’s help.

So keep a goin’, friends, especially in this busy Advent season, step by step moving closer to the manger that will be home to the prince of Peace, our Immanuel, God with us.

Written by Rev. Elizabeth Lovell Milford
What am I passionate about at Heritage?
I love seeing how much FUN our members and friends have serving together. This week we are preparing to help 182 children in our area with gifts and food through our Santa’s Caravan, and every time I have encountered volunteers, the room is full of smiles and laughter. Heritage is brimming with JOY as we share God’s love with others, and it’s contagious!

Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.

June, 1974, Susan and I packed our household. We sold our house. We left good friends. We left our beloved church. We left jobs. We left security. With three children and a fourth due any moment we began a new adventure, a new life. We left Tallahassee, Florida for Decatur, Georgia to begin Greek school and four years of grueling study at Columbia Theological Seminary. A new daughter breathed her first one week later.

Excited, but unprepared for the challenges ahead, we stepped into our new adventure. Columbia extended some financial aid. Our church pledged monthly financial aid. Susan kept children in our apartment. We used food stamps. It wasn’t enough.

At times, we looked at a pantry bare. We stared at a checkbook empty. We experienced food stamps run out. We experienced new levels worry. We knew the desperation of millions facing no food for their children. We prayed. We prayed hard.

Suddenly, someone knocks at the door. Someone we don’t know brings bags of food. “You were in our thoughts and prayers today. We hope you will accept our help.” Other times, mail arrives with a check from strangers. “Your names were in our bulletin to pray for Sunday.” In the same way, these miracles happen to classmates.

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

It’s easy to recognize miracles in needful moments when urgent prayer streams to heaven. Other moments happen when, I think, recognition comes later, in less dramatic ways, or maybe not at all. Simple acts of kindness revealed far ahead, maybe years ahead, to be “salvation at hand.” Friends turn around after just arriving for vacation to sit with us in loss of a loved one. “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet…” The sudden feeling of peace when yielding to a nagging feeling to take an extra angel from the Angel Tree. “Righteousness and peace will kiss each other.”

Can you recall unheralded moments in your life when “faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky”? Miracles are easy. But unheralded moments, unrecognized moments?

Written by Rev. Cuyler V. Smith
What am I passionate about at Heritage?
The mission and outreach programs of the church that meet the New Testament imperative to “feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisoners,” etc.

The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

There will be peace in the valley for me, someday.

When I read these verses from the prophet Isaiah, I am always taken back to this old gospel tune.  Elvis and Randy Travis remind me of the hope of the old gospel melodies.  I was raised as a Bapto-Presbyterian.  My formal religious education was straight from the books of the frozen chosen but my spiritual upbringing came from the gospel roots of our family reunions.  After eating and catching up with the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grand-folk, we would all gather under a tree, around a piano, near a bench with a couple of guitars and belt out those songs of hope.

Today we often dismiss the country gospel theology as a harsh “repent or burn in hell” philosophy designed to scare people into worship.  I would tell you that at every tent revival, reunion, or gospel jubilee I ever attended, it was these songs of hope that echoed through the air and were remembered and taken home.  I’ll fly away, He touched me, It is well with my soul… Just a few examples of that message of comfort and hope that Isaiah pronounced to the Israelites of ancient days, to the sharecroppers, black dirt farmers, and millworkers of my family, and to the salesman, doctor, lawyer, and checkout clerk of today.

The root of Jesse brings that promise of a bright future where peace and joy are not the exception, but the rule and all of God’s people are reclaimed to “glorify God and fully enjoy him forever”.

Written by Ben Atha, who has served as elder, teacher, and on many committees at Heritage.
What am I passionate about at Heritage?
“Heritage is a family, open to anyone, where we seek to serve the Lord through serving his world.”

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

I have never once gone on a date without actively spending some time thinking about what I was going to wear. The reason for this, I believe, is obvious: I never wanted to look like a schlub in front of my date. I always tried (though sometimes failed) to look my best whenever I took a girl out; no matter the destination. I wanted to show my date, and also the world, that she was important to me and that I was proud to be standing next to her.

Colossians is a letter from Paul to a new dating couple: God and the church in Colossae. He was explaining to the Colossians how God was ready for their date and Paul was there to be their fashion consultant. Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience make up the suit worthy of a night with God. Paul even goes a step further and tells them to remember their overcoat of love (it is winter after all) that really ties the whole outfit together and makes a statement.

Every year, during Advent, we are reminded of when our relationship with God was fresh, new and exciting. The beginning of the relationship was when all we wanted to do was impress one another and learn as much as we could about each other. Over time we can get complacent in a relationship and start taking each other for granted. We can have a tendency to forget what brought us together in the first place. God asks us to get dressed for our anniversary and revel in the love that we continue to have for each other.

God is at our front door dressed to the nines, it is time for us to get dressed and enjoy our date.

Written by Matt Milford
What am I passionate about at Heritage?
I am passionate about our youth program and helping them to grow in their faith and knowledge of God.