Where Is Our Peace?

It’s here ~ the last Sunday of Advent. On this day, we light the fourth candle, the candle of peace. Our world is not always a peaceful world. People hurt other people. Countries are at war today. People don’t take care of the world, or people in the world. There can be anger, and taking sides, holding grudges, lashing out. There is sin, and where there is sin, there is not peace.

But God promises peace. During Advent, we pray that we, as well as all people, will seek God’s peace more eagerly than ever. How is that possible?

All we must do is recall that Jesus came. He, the Prince of Peace, came to a world in struggle. He brought Peace to a place of despair. This Sunday we can say again, and to say always, “I wait for you Lord, for your salvation today and every day to come, for your joy and peace to rule in my heart, for you are God who is coming. You did not stay away. You came to our chaos. You came to bring peace.”

This last candle reminds us that Jesus didn’t leave us in the world without His Peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” In times when it seems we are surrounded by hatred and fighting, we can remember that God’s intention is peace, in our homes, communities and world.

Read Psalm 46, and realize… He is Our Peace… and He is with us.

The Lord Almighty is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done! He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear. He burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be Still and Know that I am God”

I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.

The Lord Almighty is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.

Dear God: Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for those in our world today who act for peace. Help us look for ways to be peacemakers at home, in our communities and in our world. AMEN