Last week, we embarked on an
Advent journey together by lighting the candle of hope on the
Advent wreath. The Advent wreath includes many symbols to help us think about
Christ and his gifts. I particularly
like the idea that the wreath itself is in the shape of a circle. A circle has no beginning and no end. This reminds us that there is no beginning
and no end to God and that God’s love and caring are forever. The light from the candles – which grows stronger each
Sunday in Advent, reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.
On the second Sunday Advent, we are lighting the candle of Peace.
The word “Peace” is derived from the Hebrew word “Shalom”
which
occurs over 250 times in the Old Testament. In modern English, the word “peace”
tends to mean something like “calm, tranquillity, or the lack of conflict.” While
the biblical concept of shalom encompasses this sort of peace, it is only a
part of what God promised his people in the days before the first advent of
Jesus Christ. Shalom also means “wholeness;” the restoration and unification of
that which is broken. It is the reconciliation of all things—people
to people, people to the earth, people to God—all towards one another.
This season invites us to prepare ourselves to bring peace to us,
in our families, and in our societies. For this, we need to have Jesus who is
coming because Jesus himself is Peace.
May this blessed season form us like Christ and fill us with peace as we prepare ourselves for his comings and welcome him in the cribs of our hearts.
Yukiko
