What is Advent:
The word “advent” comes to us from a Latin word that means “coming”. Never heard of an advent devotional before? It’s basically like a Christmas countdown calendar, but with a Jesus devotional focus instead of focusing on the dates. It has been celebrated by Christians for at least 1500 years. Advent is typically the season, or devotional practice, that starts four Sundays before Christmas. It marks the coming of Jesus in three ways – His first coming 2,000 years ago, our hope for His second coming, and His coming daily into our hearts. It’s a season for us to acknowledge the hope we have in Christ while acknowledging that everything has not been set right yet. We can, and should, enter into places of darkness, where hope seems lost, bringing with us the light of our Savior. It’s a hard thing to do and this season is a good time to explore that together with an Advent devotional. We’re entering week 4- peace.
To learn more about the traditions of Advent you can check out our first post in this series. (& here is week 2 and week 3 if you missed them!)
Week 4- Peace
Peace can be pretty elusive around Christmas time. It may be easy to find little bits of it here and there with people generally being more considerate, generous and friendly. But there’s also more than enough tension, pain and stress to go around during the season. And looking at the world at large in the news, it’s easy to say “Let there by peace on earth!”, but maybe not so easy to feel it. In John 16, Jesus not only promised peace, but also that we would have trouble in this world. He has and will overcome, but there’s tension in the waiting.
Peace has taken many forms in my life, as I’m sure it has in yours. Sometimes it looks like relief, sometimes joyful contentment, and at other times an inexplicable calm. In this season it feels like breathing in deeply and soaking up God’s promises. Peace might not be as easy to share as hope or joy with others. Maybe it looks like extending love or grace this week when you could easily extend frustration or judgement. Or it might look like accepting a helping hand. It might look like taking a breather to meditate on Scripture, listening to some extra Christmas music. Stepping outside of social media to listen for God’s whisper. I don’t know what it looks like for you exactly- but I hope that you feel long moments of peace deeply in your soul this week.
Jesus is the promised Prince of Peace. That peace began over 2,000 years ago with His birth. He has promised us that He will give us peace in the midst of trouble today. And He will bring everlasting peace when He comes again. So, as we enter the final few days before Christmas, remember that there are angels around you reminding you that Jesus is here, now, hand outstretched in peace.
Songs for Week 4- Peace
A Christmas Song for All Ages: Silent Night.
All is calm, all is bright! What emotions do you feel listening to this song?
A Carol with an Amazing and Peace-filled Backstory: Trans Siberian Orchestra’s Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo!
The founder of TSO, Paul O’Neill explained the story behind Christmas Eve/Sarajevo. The band had heard the story of Vedran Smailović, a cello player who, for 22 days, played Remo Giazotto’s Adagio in G minor each day among the bombed ruins of Sarajevo. O’Neill, TSO founder, explains that ” It was just such a powerful image—a white-haired man silhouetted against the cannon fire, playing timeless melodies to both sides of the conflict amid the rubble and devastation of the city he loves.” Even in the midst of a devastating war, one man tried to bring peace. What instrumental Christmas music makes you feel hopeful or peaceful?
Carol of Peace: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Here’s the Casting Crown’s version)
It’s easy to feel like there’s not enough room for peace in the holiday season, or in the world in general. What helps remind you that there is peace to be found? Like the bells to the author.
Movies for Week 4- Peace
A Movie for All Ages: The Grinch
Perhaps the most peace filled moment in a Christmas movie- the moment when all of Whoville gathers in song after waking up to all of their holiday stuff being robbed. We’ve got a full review with discussion questions for the new, very family friendly, animated Grinch here.
A Classic Christmas Movie: A Christmas Carol
Dickens is famous for highlighting how the poor are mistreated and there’s a great deal of sadness but also a very hopeful ending. When did Scrooge find peace? How did Tiny Tim spread peace and hope despite his circumstances?
A Verse and Prayer: Week 4- Peace
Read Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 2, and John 16:33 together and talk about where you hear joy in the passage.
John 16:33 (NIRV) “I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 “a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift…The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders. His name? His name we’ll know in many ways— He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing,Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace. His leadership will bring such prosperity as you’ve never seen before—sustainable peace for all time. This child: God’s promise to David—a throne forever, among us, to restore sound leadership that cannot be perverted or shaken.”
Prayer:
We suggest praying through some of the above scriptures, if you have little ones- let them lead a prayer thanking Jesus for coming, or praying a pre-written prayer like this one.
Dear Jesus:
Christmas is getting closer! We are so happy that You chose to come to live on earth. Help us to keep that peace in our hearts throughout this week and all of Christmas. And help us to share that peace in a way that is helpful and encouraging to others, pointing them to You. Amen
We hope that you have a beautiful Advent season! One that is filled with hope, faith, joy, peace and Jesus.
Want to check out a couple of Advent devotional books?
We suggest:
Waiting
on the Word by Malcolm Guite- A poem a day.
Watch
for the Light – Readings by a collection of authors for each day of
the season.
Unwrapping
the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp- A family celebration of Christmas
with daily devotionals, questions and activities.
Craft
and Pray Around the World by Beth Gorden- 24 different crafts that
celebrate different countries and their Christmas traditions
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