Terry Headlight News

Sunday, Nov. 28 begins the new church year and is the first Sunday of the Advent season, the 4 weeks that precede the birth of the Lord, that is, the mystery of the Incarnation (March 25). The word Advent means “coming” or “presence.” In the ancient world, it signified the coming of the king or the emperor into one of the provinces. In the language of Christians, it referred to the coming of God, to His presence in the world.

This mystery involves the whole of the cosmos and of history but recognizes 2 culminating moments: the first and the second comings of Jesus Christ. The first is the Incarnation itself; the second is the glorious return at the end of time. These 2 moments, although chronologically distant – and it is not given to us to know how far apart they are – touch us deeply, because by His death and resurrection Jesus has already accomplished that transformation of humanity and of the cosmos that is the final goal of creation. But before that end, it is necessary that the Gospel be proclaimed to all nations, as Jesus says in the Gospel of Mark. The coming of Christ is continuous; the world must be infused by His presence. This permanent coming of the Lord in the proclamation of the Gospel requires our continual collaboration; and the Church, which is like the Betrothed, the promised Bride of the crucified and risen Lamb of God, in communion with her Lord collaborates in this coming of the Lord, in which His glorious return is already begun.

There’s nothing in the Bible that is specific to celebrating Advent, but this is our chance to prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas Day. It makes reminds of the line from “O Little Town of Bethlehem” that says “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

Advent is 4 weeks to gather up all our hopes and fears, all our ponderings like Mary in Luke 2 and to take them to Jesus. It’s a chance to marvel at what the the 3 comings of Jesus mean for us. And, here is some very good news: Advent is also a season of looking forward to the day when Jesus will come again and make all things new!

The fundamental message of Christmas, on the other hand, is that the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Eze-kiel, Hosea, Zechariah, etc. have come true—but in the most unexpected way: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

-- (John 1:14)

Advent calendars are available in so many stores these days and offer all kinds of treats. This could be a fun option for families (especially those which include children) as the days before Christmas are counted together. I can say with certainty that a Christmas that follows the observance of Advent will be much more meaningful that one that follows the absence of Advent celebration.

Regardless of the manner in which each household and each heart decides to observe this Advent season, time will not have been wasted by looking to Jesus. Let us adore Him and marvel at how His coming changes everything and how He’ll change everything once again one day in the future. As the angels sang: “Glory to God in the highest!” May our hopes and fears be met in You, Jesus, once again this Christmas.

The first Sunday of Advent in 2022 will be Sunday, November 27th. After a tumultuous year, there is comfort to be found when we pause to read, pray, and reflect over the course of the Advent season in which believers eagerly anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth.

The first Sunday of Advent gives us the opportunity to center our thoughts on hope.

It’s a beautiful chance to remember the hope God offers to our lost and dying world, and that He’s given us through Jesus.

The 4 readings for this Sunday are Isaiah 2:1-5 (the message about Jerusalem), Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14 (loving others) and Matthew 24:36-44 (When will Jesus come again?).

There was a ceremony and a following reception given in honor of Police Chief Michael O. Ivy on Friday afternoon. Chief and Mrs. Ivy were in attendance, as were guests from inside Terry and from other towns. Representing the town were Mayor Joseph Kendrick, Alders Bonny Holley, Jacqueline Davenport Mitchell, and Terry Johnson, Judges Lee Agnew and Edward Watson, clerks Alica Stamps and Alexis Thompson Reed, and several police officers. This was held in the educational building of the Terry United Methodist Church which was purchased by the First Baptist Church a Terry a few years ago. A plaque and a proclamation from the Town were presented to Chief Ivy, who later spoke and expressed gratitude.

Then a few hours later, a tragedy struck our town when there was a sudden accident at the Texaco service station on Cunningham Avenue. One of the town’s police vehicles and another vehicle being driven by an inexperienced drived crashed into one another. Office John Arnold from Byram was injured and taken to the hospital. I understand that his thumb was broken during this accident. Please keep Officer Arnold and his recovery in your prayers, as well as the Town of Terry during this time of adjustments in its Police Department.

Senator David Blount of Jackson (our State Senator representing Terry) was the honoree in a reception that was given in Jackson last Monday evening (prior to Municipal Court). This was held at the Urban Foxes, the family-owned pie shop at 826 North Street. Those from Terry who were seen by me were Connie E. Little and Rev. Chris Taylor and his wife (Alderwoman Connie Taylor). Other elected officials who I saw were Supervisor Credell Calhoun, Rep. Earle Banks, Rep. Ronnie Crudup (all of Jackson), and Senator Robert Johnson of Adams County.

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd is saddened to learn that Father John Childers has accepted the position of vicar at Saint Matthew’s Church in Kosciusko, MS. He had been preaching periodically in Terry during the past several months.

At the Sept. 6 meeting of the Board of Alders of Terry, rate increases for water and sewer were approved. The basic rate for water will increase by $5.00 (from $23.50 to $28.50) and sewer rates will increase $15.20 (from $10 to 25.20). These increases will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

There has been some confusion on the date of the 2022 Christmas parade in Terry. The correct date and time are Dec. 10 beginning at 5 PM.

Please add Officer John Arnold, Edwina Pearce Shelby, Barbara Sills, Jeanette Jones and Mrs. Grady Taylor to your prayer lists.

These birthdays have been recently celebrated:

Meri Beth McDavid - Nov. 20; Representative Dekeither Stamps - Nov. 21; Frances Moore McDonald - Nov. 22; Sutter Bailey - Nov. 23; Crystal Simmons - Nov. 25; Benjamin Rutledge - Nov. 26; Judy Wilson Crowder, Edith Ann Morgan, Barbara Harris Reed, Mark Calhoun - Nov. 27.

Here is a hymn which is set to a beloved American tune (MARCHING TO ZION) which most of us here in Hinds County know. This fits the Isaiah and the Matthew passages for this Sunday: To leave the world below, March upward with our band, And step by step we mean to go; To Zion’s happy land.

We’re marching onward to Zion, that beautiful city of God.

The city we shall see; The heavenly music hear, Marching to songs of victory, With all the Army there. We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion. We’re marching onward to Zion, that beautiful city of God. The pearly gates are wide, The streets are bright and fair; We’ll march together, side by side, Till safely landed there; We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching onward to Zion, that beautiful city of God.

Beside the crystal stream, Led on by Zion’s King, We’ll swell the great salvation theme; And songs of victory sing. We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching onward to Zion, that beautiful city of God.

With blood and fire unfurled; We march to victory grand; The Army means to lead the world; To Zion’s happy land. We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching onward to Zion, that beautiful city of God.

As you are thanked each week for your readership, you are again thanked. You have read the oldest newspaper in the county, and it may be read weekly. Your submissions, corrections, and additions are always welcomed.