The Advent of Peace

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This is the second installment of our four-part Advent series. Advent is the season of the year leading up to Christmas. which is the first advent of Christ. It is the four-week period preceding Christmas Day with each week focusing on a specific quality or attribute of our Christian faith.

Celebration of Advent

The celebration of Advent is multi-faceted and touches many areas of our lives. The Advent season serves as a reminder of what Christmas is truly all about. It celebrates the birth of our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Advent season is also a time of preparation. It is meant to be a time of preparing our heart and mind to focus on the true meaning of the holiday. It is a time of reflection when we step back from the busyness of the season to reflect on the hope and the promise of Christ’s arrival – both in the historical event of his birth and in the expectation of his future return. Advent should also be a time of longing and expectancy for the second coming of Christ.

Advent is a time of meditation and prayer, for remembering that this world is not our home. It is a reminder that we should not become too attached to the treasures and trappings of this world. Advent is a time of examining the state of our soul and spirit. This season is also a time of penance where we consider the strongholds that we have allowed to be built in our lives and in our hearts and to contemplate their removal. Advent is a time of hope, which is an eager expectation for the promises of God in our lives, and it is a time of peace, which is the theme of the second week of Advent.

The Gift of Peace

In John 14:27, Jesus made this promise, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Peace is also a frequent topic that Paul writes about. In Colossians 3:15, Paul says to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called a peace and be thankful.” This is the same peace that Jesus gave of his own to each of us. In Philippians 4:6-7, we find that peace is something that God gives us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” This is the same peace that God experiences. It is the same peace that Jesus lived within, that peace that he intimately experienced. This is the same peace that he gives each of us to experience.

So, what is this peace that we are focusing on? For those in the world and indeed many believers today, peace is usually thought of as the absence of a conflict or freedom from disturbance. How often do we talk about needing a “little peace and quiet?” We usually use this phrase when things are a bit chaotic or out of control in our lives. From a political or governmental point of view, it refers to the end of a war or the laying down of arms. It means the cessation of violence or, at the very least, a cease-fire between warring parties. In God’s lexicon or economy, however, peace refers to a point in time where all of the essential parts of a situation or relationship are able to be joined together. Peace speaks of a wholeness or state of unity. The Greek word used for peace is means to join or to tie together into a whole.

What is this peace then? A simplified definition for us as we observe Advent this year is this: peace is a deep lasting harmony rooted in God’s presence. Without him, there can be no peace. That is what Jesus came to bring. Peace is what we are preparing our hearts to receive. It is what we are reflecting upon and what we’re longing for.

Peace on Earth

During the Christmas season, we talk a lot about “peace on earth,” but this peace that we have been given needs to be more than pretty words printed on a Christmas card or some nondescript ambition we aspire to. Peace is not something that occurs naturally, however. True peace requires an action and commitment. Attaining and maintaining peace is a strenuous activity. It takes a concentrated and committed effort – a dogged determination – to join things together again, especially when we are in the middle of an argument or challenging circumstance. This is what Christmas is all about. The advent, or birth, of Jesus was the action necessary to bring true peace to earth. Jesus’ sinless life among us and becoming our sacrificial lamb at Easter was the commitment necessary to bring this peace.

The Bethlehem Candle

During the first week of Advent, we lit the candle symbolizing hope – the Prophecy Candle. This week, we light the candle symbolizing peace, which is called the Bethlehem Candle. As mentioned earlier, Advent is a time to remember, and during this week about that we call to mind the journey to Bethlehem that Mary and Joseph made.

The distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem was about 90 miles. People would normally travel between 17 and 20 miles per day, but due to Mary being “great with child” they likely only made about 12 miles a day. The trip would’ve taken about a week to complete, and we know that during their time in Bethlehem the days were accomplished when the baby was to be born. We know from the Christmas story in Luke 2 that Jesus was born in a stable because there is no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn. We also know that Jesus’ birth was the culmination of an angelic announcement. It was the fulfillment of several Old Testament prophecies, and it was the beginning of the most extraordinary life in history.

Not only are we reminded of the journey that Mary and Joseph made, but we are also reminded that Advent is an opportunity for us to ponder, to consider, and reflect on our own spiritual journey – a journey that began at our moment of faith and acceptance; a journey that has led us through times of doubt, struggle, faith, and victory.

Advent is also a time when we call to mind the message that was delivered by an angel to a group of shepherds tending their sheep in the fields outside Bethlehem. An angel appeared to the shepherds and announced that the Messiah had been born in Bethlehem. They would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. That angel was joined by an angelic host that proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” The shepherds then hurried into town to find that which the angels had declared. The angels announced that peace had come, and that peace is a person. His name is Jesus – the Prince of Peace.

Prince of Peace

We find this name, this title in Isaiah 9:6, one of the Scriptures foretelling Jesus’ wondrous birth: “For unto us a Child is born, to us a son is given. The government will be on his shoulders, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

We are enamored by that reference, but it needs to be more than mere words that we make into a tree ornament, more than a wall hanging, or a greeting card sentiment. The term “Prince of Peace” is more than just a title or a label that we attach to a position of hierarchy. It is more than simply a name that refers to an individual. This term, this declaration made by Isaiah 732 years before Jesus’ birth, is a solemn reference to our Savior and speaks of his character. It speaks of his nature.

Jesus is the son of God, the son of the King. It is his character and nature and mission to bring peace to the earth, to once again bring unity and wholeness back to God’s creation. The Prince of Peace is the ONLY one who can accomplish this. Jesus is the Prince of Peace born in a manger long, long ago. He is the Prince of Peace who hung on the cross paying the penalty for all sin for all time so that we might be made right and holy again. He is the Prince of Peace who rose from the dead, conquering death and the grave, and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God, and he is the Prince of Peace who will one day return to this earth to rule and reign in peace. This is his character, those distinctive qualities that define who he is. This is his nature, his basic and inherent features. And it is Father’s plan that it becomes our nature as well.

Now, I realize that may be hard for us to understand and accept. I understand fully how fallen, how broken, and how imperfect I am, and I am certain that there are those reading this post who have come to a similar conclusion about their own lives. But in Matthew 5:9, during his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to us as “peacemakers.” He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.”

The word Jesus uses for children there is “huios,” which means a child by birth or adoption. But figuratively it goes a bit deeper to address our very nature, our heart as it were. The term refers to anyone sharing the same nature as their father. The word refers to those who, in character and in life, resemble God with an emphasis on our likeness to him. As natural children, we bear the characteristics of our parents. Within our very being is the genetic stamp of our parents’ nature. This is true in the natural, and this is truly spiritual.

What is a Peacemaker?

In our mind’s eye, we have an idea of what a peacemaker might be, but it is usually someone other than ourselves. Again, the simplest definition is that a peacemaker is one who pursues peace. A peacemaker pursues peace, unity, or oneness with God. This involves aligning our will and our heart with his. A peacemaker pursues real peace with others rather than merely biting our tongues to “keep the peace.”

Pursuing peace means making every effort to reach unity and agreement with our brothers and sisters. A peacemaker is one who brings others to the peace of God. This is our commission – our directive, so to speak. A peacemaker also brings resolution to conflicts by finding a common path forward out of disagreement. Lastly, a peacemaker endures personal mistreatment and insults for the sake of obtaining and maintaining peace. This is Father’s nature and character. This is Jesus’ nature and character, and this should be our nature and character as children of God.

Pursuing Peace

Pursuing peace can mean laying down our personal right to be “right” in the circumstance so that others may realize their need and turn to God for help and be joined with him. Peacemakers help others find peace with God. Paul wrote in Romans 12:18 these words, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” We must remember that peace isn’t merely the absence of conflict. Peace is unity and wholeness. It means being able to be fully joined together. You see, a lot is riding on you, in as much as it depends on you.

Father’s Message For Us

Living in peace – peace with God, peace with others, and peace with ourselves – is a real possibility. This is Father’s message for this Advent season. David wrote in Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they that love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.” That means that nothing shall cause them to stumble. Nothing can cause them to become separated or disconnected. Is this always easy? We know full well that it is not, but what robs us of that peace, of that unity, of that connectedness and being in one accord? I believe the biggest culprit, the most frequent and successful thief that we encounter is fear. This is followed closely by doubt, loss (both real and imagined, both material and spiritual), and a restless, disquieted spirit within us.

Right now, there are many people searching for peace around the globe. In nearly every nation, it would seem there is an epidemic of fear and anxiety sweeping through every region. There exists a deep sense of uneasiness or dread creeping out from the corners of our minds fed by an unending negative news feed. And there is a physical and emotional suffering that occurs as a result of the actions of those thieves that are robbing our peace.

The Need for Peace

Why do we need peace anyway? Why do we need to feel like things are coming together rather than falling apart? Peace brings clarity which allows us to think clearly about our present circumstances and to have hope for the future. Peace brings stability into our lives when we know that our God can and will work all things together for our good. Peace brings rationality. Beyond clarity, rationality enables us to see the reason why things are the way they are and enables us to have an eager expectation that they will be resolved. And peace gives us the strength we need to get through today and have faith to greet tomorrow. We may be surrounded by circumstances beyond our control, but during this Advent season we have the opportunity and responsibility to share what we know to be true.

Our Message

Our message is simple: “You can’t have the peace of God until you have peace with God.” Another truth that I have treasured for years is this: “You can’t give what you don’t have.” To offer peace, we must possess peace, and what is our source? The Word says in Isaiah 26:3 that “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” This is the peace of God. This is the peace that Christ gives to us. This peace, this perfect peace, gives us clarity, stability, rationality, and strength – the very things we need during these troubling times. In Christ, we can experience peace every day of our lives. In Christ, we can experience continual peace and unity with him every moment of our lives. And in the future, we can expect 1,000 years of peace as Jesus reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords like we read in Revelation 20. This is our hope. This is our peace. This is our expectation this Advent season.