On this second weekend of Advent we are to light the candle that represents Peace. Peace? Really, I mean, when was the last time your Christmas was Peaceful? Even the first Christmas seemed absent of Peace…. didn’t it?? Or, is there something we are overlooking?
I think there is. Check out this passage. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders, And he will be called Wonderful Councelor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6 This passage gives us some great images of Jesus before he came and how he’d bring Peace.
Wonderful Councelor – Messiah as King – a king who will be One that the world will know as loving and compassionate; caring about us even down to tiny details.
Mighty God – His divine power. He is all powerful and created all we know.
Everlasting Father – referencing His grace and mercy are never ending and that He will never leave or forsake us.
Prince of Peace – reminds us that only through Jesus we will ahve true peace of mind and soul – faith in Christ bring peace with the Father and it is on believers that God’s favour of peace will rest.
Many thanks to a Family Advent by Thomas Nelson for this great synopsis of week 2 of Advent.
So – Peace…Jesus represents Peace and without Jesus we aren’t likely getting any. And on top of that – the Peace isn’t external – but internal. So, this isn’t a promise that you will magically get along with the in-laws this year and avoid that holiday “tension” – what this is saying IS that with Jesus in our hearts, we should have internal Peace, allowing us to better handle those in-laws and maybe even providing us with the patience, grace and love to prevent the “tensions” that could be searching us out in the holidays.
Week 2 – Peace. Are you Peaceful this Advent? Tell me your story.
