The wonders of God’s love are spoken of in the Bible and are experienced by God’s people every day. The Rev. Benton Heisler shares Advent greetings with The Michigan Conference.
BENTON HEISLER
Director of Connectional Ministry, Michigan Conference
Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let every heart prepare Him room …
This year is the 300th anniversary of Isaac Watts’ writing of this classic Christmas hymn based on Psalm 98. Notice the verb tense? “… is come!” A present tense, not a future expectation or a past memory, but God with us NOW. I celebrate this reality of God’s presence with us in so many ways this Christmas season and as we look back across the year.
And wonders of His love … indeed they are many! I invite each of us to look back over 2019 and note the remarkable ways God has been revealed to us. The struggles and negative stories that are far too pervasive can be changed to more positive narratives of seeing the many places that God has truly been at work and continues to touch our lives and others with wondrous love.
No more let sin or sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground … The hymn speaks to the harsh realities of life and at the same time proclaims the Kingdom of God as a presence to experience even if not yet in all its fullness. The year has had its ample moments of this tension between “the now and the not yet” of all of God’s complete blessing. Where each of you has lived in this tension, know that you have been held in prayer. There has been weeping as you have wept and celebrating with you as you have been filled with joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace … The promises of God’s word in Scripture are full of images of such truth and evidence of abundant grace. The world so needs to hear and receive this message of healing and hope. I pray that each of you knows these “wonders of His love” in your life and can feel the expanse of God’s reach as “… He comes to make, His blessings flow, far as the curse is found…”
So, with every new discovery, beach wandered, woods explored, quiet “I love you” spoken, picture painted, cookie baked, board drilled, bike ridden, book read, trip taken, blissful nap time paused, there has been true “joy in the world,” and I trust a deep love is in your heart. I pray that many and more blessings like these have been true for you.
May heaven and nature sing, let heaven and nature sing …
Peace on Earth, and Goodwill to all People.
~ “If you make my Word your home, you will indeed be my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:13 New Jerusalem Bible) Each article I write for this column is based in the guidance of a Scripture passage. I pray that these reflections, stories, and information will assist you in your own witness and service as a Disciple of Jesus Christ.
Last Updated on December 17, 2019