Let God be the Hero
December 7, 2025
Pastor Cleve Masten presented today's message, "Let God be the Hero." A video of today's message is here on YouTube. It may help to be familiar with the message but that is not necessary to enjoy the thoughts below.2nd Sunday of Advent: Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)
Mighty, ghib-bore' (גִּבּוֹר). This word carries many of the notions you'd think of: mighty, powerful, and superiorly strong, as well as valiant, champion, chief, outstanding, and hero. It's derived from the word for man (gheh'-ber, גֶּבֶר) which seems to take it back down a notch or two. "Warrior" is included in both words. The word applies in military or domestic use. It can be used for men of renown either good or bad. Starting in Exodus, the word is used in regard to warriors vital to Israel's survival. The word literally ranges from strength in man to divine omnipotence. Up to Isaiah's time, it was often used to illustrate kingly character particularly with regard to leadership.
God, el (ale) (אֵל). The Hebrew word for God already carries with it a sense of mighty and almighty. So, in a sense, "Mighty God" is double mighty. The word is used about 250 times in the Old Testament (OT). The word can also refer to idols or other deities. El can also be used to describe natural things as mighty, like mountains. The first time El is used for God is in Genesis 14:18-19, "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High (El Elyon), Creator of heaven and earth.'" El begins many of the names for God in the OT, e.g. El Shaddai (All Sufficient), El Roi (Sees), and El Olam (Everlasting). In the Creation story's very first verse of the Bible, God is referred to as Elohim which is the plural of El(owah) - but that's another whole story.
"Mighty God" in the sense of warrior suggests someone that doesn't just lead with the armies, but goes out "in between" the forces and fights alone on behalf of the people, like David did against Goliath. The use elsewhere in Isaiah of such a term also makes it clear that this warrior is also God, a "Supreme Champion" as it were.
Bonus
My Christmas Hero (movie)
Yes, it's a typical 2023 B+ Christmas movie, but... What puts this movie over the top for me is its unabashed religiosity and patriotism. From Great American Family: "In 'My Christmas Hero,' US Army reservist and orthopedic physician, Nicole Ramsey (Candace Cameron Bure) is dedicated to serving military service members and their families at the Joint Military Base in Lacey, Washington, home of I Corps and the 62nd Airlift Wing. This Christmas, with the help of many dedicated heroes, Dr. Ramsey is on a mission to honor a special fallen soldier and bring much needed healing to her own family." Here's a trailer.
While on the subject of Christmas movies, there are two others I'd like to mention not only for their message but also for their setting. The first is An Alpine Holiday, not only for its messages about what's important in life (e.g. "life is either a daring adventure or nothing" and "a dream is a terrible thing to waste"), but it's set in the French Alps out of a town called Chamonix with some French spoken here and there and love locks on the mountain top. The other movie is A Keller Christmas Vacation. It's definitely B level, but it's set on a river cruise along the Danube which we just took a few weeks ago. That was fun to relive.
OK, one more: The Snow Must Go On. For theatre geeks, obviously.
Bonus2
Seven Weeks of Advent
I had never heard of a 7-week Advent period before. Until this year, when the Methodist Church that we attended back in California and for whom I still handle their website, threw me a curve ball. I set up the Home page image with a 1-candle-lit Advent wreath like I've done for decades. But I subsequently learned that November 30 was actually the 4th Sunday of their 7-week Advent schedule. Oops. What?!
Up until 1000 A.D., roughly, much of Christianity had a 6-week, 7-week, or even 40-day Advent period as opposed to the 4-week Advent season of today (mostly). Actually, some churches are going back to a 7-week Advent calling it an "Extended Advent." Advent is supposed to be a period of waiting, reflection, prayer, preparation, etc. But "Christmas madness" tends to overtake us as early as after Halloween and is in full swing by Thanksgiving. 7-week proponents hope to get a jump on laying a peaceful, prayerful approach to Christmas by starting earlier.
This year, a 7-week Advent schedule looks like this:
- Advent I (Nov 9) – O Sapientia – Wisdom
- Advent II (Nov 16) – O Adonai – Lord
- Advent III (Nov 23) – O Rex gentium – Ruler of Nations
- Advent IV (Nov 30) – O radix Jesse – Root of Jesse
- Advent V (Dec 7) – O clavis David – Key of David
- Advent VI (Dec 14) – O Oriens – Morning Star
- Advent VII (Dec 21) – O Emmanuel – God with us
The Latin shown above accurately reflects the fact that most churches doing this are Catholic or "close to" like Episcopal and Lutheran; "more orthodox" you might say. There seems to be a number of Methodist churches getting on board as well.
Another Christmas-time church service you may not be familiar with is the Longest Night Service celebrated by some congregations on the longest night of the year, December 21. It's also called Blue Christmas as the theme usually is remembering loved ones who have passed and/or are experiencing some other grief. As the color may suggest, some churches use the event to honor law enforcement focusing on trust, service, and loyalty.
Here's an interesting article (and generally the website) on the topic: Extended Advent Orientation.
Are you wondering why there are seven candles total and not seven plus one Christ Candle (like a standard 4-week Advent wreath actually has five candles, 4 + 1 Christ Candle)? I asked that question of the pastor out in California and he said that all seven of the 7-week candles are considered Christ Candles. (In the photo above, the two tall slim white candles on the far sides are the regular altar candles and are not part of the seven Advent candles.)
Here's another resource: The Advent Project.