Advent: Peace

written by Amy Gordon

“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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6

As we begin to journey into this week of the Advent season, our hearts light upon Peace. And it becomes not just a word, but a desire. It becomes the very invitation of Advent, that we would experience Peace as we wait for the coming King.

Peace is a gift. God desires to give us peace so that we can find rest in Him. Advent is the perfect time to reflect upon our lives and all that we do; it is a perfect time to reflect on our calling. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). The world gives conditionally and inconsistently, but our God gives unconditionally and consistently. Peace is a gift from our Heavenly Father to our worn out hearts. It is the call to find calm amidst chaos, and to do so without fear.

Peace is a desire. It is a yearning for something calmer, simpler, quieter. Our desire for peace is our reminder to stop striving and to start seeking. It is an invitation into that sacred relationship where we can both know and be known. Just as wise men went looking for “He who has been born King of the Jews” that first Christmas, we too seek after our Prince of Peace.  And in seeking Him, we find Him, and in finding Him we find rest for our souls.

Peace is a knowing. It is a deep-seated realization that we are loved, we are cherished, we are rescued, we are redeemed because Christ came that first Advent to do just that. It is the heart space that grounds you, that gives you strength and security even when the storm of life seems to be raging around you, because peace tells us the truth of who we are in Him.

Christ arrived that first Advent to give us a gift. A gift wrapped up in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. A gift to be sought after and found. A gift to be treasured and known. A Baby—the Prince of Peace.

Prayer

Lord, as we continue to journey through this Advent season, may we know and experience the gift of peace that you have so freely given us. We are thankful for your grace and goodness that came to us in the form of a Baby, who is our Prince of Peace, our coming King, our Emmanuel today and everyday. We anticipate with hopeful longing  Your return. But until then, help us to wait with expectant hearts, to be bearers and givers of Peace to our world, and to know the “peace that passes all understanding,” which speaks loudly to the truth of who You have made each of us to be. We give you the glory and honour this Advent, our Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Amen.