by Rev. Ralph Manuel-- “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.”  (Isaiah 9:6)  Advent is a time of expectancy and promise.

During these days we recall the years spent awaiting the coming of the promised Messiah; that promise was fulfilled with Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. But we also look forward to the fulfillment of another promise: that Jesus will come back for us (see John 14:3). This is indeed a season of heightened expectancy and wonder! 

In the midst of all the activities that occur during this extremely busy month, please set aside time to come and be a part of our Christmas cantata presentation, on Sunday, December 19, during the morning worship service. Our choir and orchestra will present “The Winter Rose,” written by Joseph M. Martin. And then come back on Friday, December 24, for our candlelight Christmas Eve family service, which begins at 7:00 p.m.

May the peace of God permeate your life as you rejoice in His coming. 

To God be the glory, 

Ralph 

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CONFUSING WORDS WE SING: hark – herald – host – hail 

One of the most beloved hymns of the Christmas season is “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The music is stirring and the text, written by Charles Wesley, is incredibly rich in content. There are, however, a few words in this hymn whose meaning might not be completely clear to us. 

We start with Hark! – the first word of the title. This just means “Listen!” And what are we listening to? “The herald angels sing.” A herald announces that something important is coming (see, for example, the name of this newsletter!). So in this hymn we can visualize the multitude of angels who appeared to the shepherds at night, announcing Jesus’s birth.

Later in the first stanza of this hymn the angelic host is mentioned. This does not refer to the one in charge, like the host or hostess of a party. This usage of the word host means a multitude, a countless number of angels. We are invited to join in with all the angels in proclaiming that “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” 

Finally, the last stanza begins “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!” This is not like hailing a taxi. Hail here means to greet enthusiastically. This child was born for a reason: “that we no more may die,” “to raise us from the earth,” “to give us second birth.” Hail him indeed! 

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;

peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;

with the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” 

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”