Advent: Promise of Peace

The season of Advent is by far my favorite time of year. It’s not the arrival of Christmas music, parties or gift exchanges, but the richness that unfolds through the holistic story of God making His way to us in the midst of our sin and darkness that makes this season so special. Advent is the gift of God’s love story fulfilled and it will never be cliche. Each week I will share a specific scripture, a song, and reflection to help us draw us near to God in this season of preparation. I hope you will join with me by making space this Advent to engage in God’s love story written for us all and brought to life through the birth of Christ.   

Week 2: Peace came down to dwell on earth

The Old Testament is filled with promise. Prophets were given messages of hope to give God’s people courage in order to press onward in faith until the time in which their long-awaited Savior would arrive. Isaiah introduces us to our second week of Advent through the remembrance of Peace.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace. Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB)

Being prone to the arts and moved by how an artist can bring emotion into visual meaning via the stroke of a brush, I have chosen this Advent favorite, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, written by Charles Wesley, sung by Marcy Priest, and put to art.

In conjunction with an artistic rendition of the Nativity Story, this song and narrative are published by the Skit Guys.  I hope you will take a moment to view this video and let the story awaken your heart with a sense of God’s Hope and Peace. It’s a favorite to watch with our children each Advent season. (Click here to view)*

Hopefully the expectancy that encompasses the season of Advent is awakening your senses to the true beauty and power of the Incarnation. The giver and incarnation of this Peace has come to BE Peace in our broken, war-torn, hate-filled world. Peace is unique unto Christians because the Prince of Peace is the only source of true Peace on Earth.  Christ’s mere existence on earth as fully human and fully God should bring us a source of peace beyond our fears, anxiety, and worries because it is a pure and undeserving act of love. 

Praying for Peace on Earth

With Christ living in us, we are to be bearers of this promised peace. This year I’ve been burdened by the unrest in our political system, the injustice in places like China, Bangladesh, Sudan, and many other countries as people are imprisoned, killed, raped and left displaced. Our world is in desperate need of Peace. We ourselves claim to want Peace, but apart from Christ real Peace may not be realized. As we practiced prayer last month, let’s continue to commit to pray for peace this Advent among our neighbors, communities, place of business, schools, political systems, unreached people, those hurting, nations in unrest, and those living on the fringe. Ask that God would be the same Hope of old to a world presently without Peace and perhaps Hope. Ask God to help us live a life of peace wherever He has placed us in order to Be and Give His peace on earth. 

Ways to help us pray for Peace:

1. Each time you look at your Christmas tree remember someone or someplace in need of Peace.
2. As you light your Peace Candle this Sunday with your family, spend time praying for Peace on Earth.
3. Create a Link of Peace with your children. Use construction paper to make strips, on each one write a different prayer request. Tape and link it together. Each day your family can tear a link as a countdown to Christmas. Each day you will be praying for one request for Peace in our world.
4. Find a breath prayer focusing on Peace or a scripture that you can repeat throughout the day to encourage you to be an agent of peace as you go about your day.
5. Pray a prayer over articles in the news. Asking for Hope and Peace to cover and heal the brokenness in the areas you read about. Let today’s news be your prayer guide.
6. Sing a Christmas Hymn of Peace over our world.

Biblical Reflection:

Take some time to read through Zacharias’s Prophecy after the birth of John in Luke 1:67-79. (Click to read online)

1. How do you see God fulfilling promises of old?
2. What are promises can we still claim today?
3. What encouragement or hope does this prophecy give you?
4. What will be your way of Peace this Advent?

Share how you are finding or sharing Peace this Advent Season.

*Note: The songs were chosen for their lyrics and meaning. I felt by adding a link to view them online would be a helpful tool for reflection. There was no preference in style or artist for the rendition of the song. You are welcome to view the songs in any format you choose.