An Advent Reflection for December 6, 2015, the Second Sunday of Advent

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
(John 14:27, TLB)

Jesus shared these words as his life here on earth was drawing to a close. These words also form a book-end with the greeting the angels gave at his birth.

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men.”
(Luke 2:14, KJV)

As I think of peace this Christmas, I can’t help but seeing the end from the beginning. The angels foretold of the peace that Jesus would bring and the good will that all humanity would enjoy as a result of his life. This peace on earth and good will for humanity did not end when Jesus’ earthly life ended. He gave us the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit of love and peace, that now lives in us and empower us to be God’s agents of love (good will) and peace in our day to day world.

My prayer is that as we establish our lives on the hope of Emmanuel (God with us) we would discover the peace emanates from that same source, the gift of God’s-self in every moment of our lives.

Grace and peace,
Brook