Advent Week 3: Peace

Advent Week 3: Peace

Peace. This candle has also represented joy, but to push joy when so many have suffered and mourned this year seems to be in rather poor tastes. So we will be focusing on peace. Why peace when there have been so many riots and protests this year? Because we need God's peace to pervade the earth. God's peace isn't just the absence of protests & riots, but the presence of justice for everyone. 

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Romans 12 is one of my favorite chapters, and while I encourage you to read the entirety of this section, we will be focusing on one verse. "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18. Paul adds so many caveats here. "If it is possible, live at peace" and "as far as it depends on you, live at peace", but he also stretches his readers. He didn't say "live at peace with those who agree with you" or "live at peace with those who treat you well"; he said "live at peace with everyone". Like the rest of the Bible, this verse is not meant to be hurled at an opponent to get them to fall in line with how you think they should be acting, but rather, this verse is meant to bring us to self-examination as we ask the Holy Spirit to show us how to better follow this command. 

So how does it look to live at peace with everyone? What is in our power, that influences our ability to obey? We can listen to the stories of those who are hurting. We can learn from their experiences and work with them to improve their situation. We can be compassionate listeners and not expect people to prove their painful experiences. We can be willing to change our habits to better help others. We can be willing to give up our conveniences so we can better serve others. We can shift our shopping habits to more ethical choices. We can learn about injustices happening around us and learn how to stand against them. We can replace the political phrase "the deserving poor" from our vocabulary and simply replace it with "those in need". We can remember that none of us "deserve" salvation, but God gave it to us anyway. We can educate ourselves about the suffering and injustices that are too common in minority neighborhoods. 

As we reflect on a year that has been rocked by needless deaths, peaceful protests, and violent riots, we can consider ways we can better listen to and pray for those involved.

Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

This website has a version of the lyrics to this song. 

With many of these carols, there are many versions floating around. Additional verses to this song mention peace, so we will examine these phrases. One bonus verse calls for the Desire of nations to bind all hearts together and bid our divisions to end as Christ is our King of Peace. Another alternative verse starts in a similar way, but calls for Christ to bid envy, strife, and quarrels to end, as the entire world is filled with heaven's peace. We follow a King of Peace, not a King of Winning Using Whatever Methods We Can or a King of Excessive Force. We want (I hope) for the whole world to be filled with heaven's peace. Not just our homes or our community or even our country, but the whole world. This isn't here yet but this is something we are to work towards. Peace isn't merely that we are comfortable, it is ensuring everyone is free from oppression, violence, and injustice. If I am at peace, but you are suffering, then I should be willing to work alongside you to achieve peace for you as well. 

Questions to Consider: 

-What can I do to better live at peace with everyone?

-How can I pray for the peaceful protestors? Do I  listen to what they are saying and work with them to achieve their goals?

-Do I pray for the violent rioters? Do I pray for them to experience this peace as well? Do I pray that they will repent of their actions and pursue the path of peace?

Challenge: 

This week, learn about the violence and brokenness of this world. What is happening in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas? When we isolate ourselves from the violent pain of the world, we don't feel as much drive to pray for peace and reconciliation. We should pray for the victims of violence, but we are also called to pray for the perpetrators. Pray FOR their repentance and a new commitment to be representatives of peace. Pray for violence to stop being idolized, glorified, and utilized. Pray for justice to flow through the world, as it rights wrongs and heals brokenness.

Mary and Joseph head to Bethlehem