We Are Thankful For Peace
When we are disturbed by stresses, pressures, and upheaval, there is nothing we wish for more than a little peace. Rest that comes from a truce, however temporary, is prayed for, desired, and welcome.
Peace is an end of
- distress
- torment
- bombardment from things we cannot control.
We have need of peace.
When it comes, thankfulness is almost automatic, even if we do not know who to thank.
Give Peace a Chance
Peace is an outcome of making things right, of reinstating balance. So the candle we light the second Sunday of Advent is a recognition of God bringing the kind of lasting peace that can only come from his hand.
We give God’s peace a chance today. We allow Him to bring light into our darkness, healing to our sickness and pain, love to our emptiness. We reconcile with our Creator today through friendship with the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus.
Christmas Peace and Joy
The angels sang and proclaimed tidings of peace on earth. “Tidings” meant that a news announcement from heaven was being made.
Luke 2:10-13
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
… And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Ways to Sow Peace
In the Spirit of Christmas, let’s sow some peace by being thankful. Tell each other one thing you enjoy about each person gathered here.
This week you may:
- Answer someone’s rudeness or irritability with a response of patience and kindness
- Do something to make someone’s life easier
- Give to a charity
- Pray for someone each day
Enjoy:
Make a small plate of “Grinch kabobs” and crostini and cheese snacks for sharing before one of the advent devotions this week. Remember to give thanks.
Grinches are made by threading 1 grape, 1 banana slice, 1 strawberry (narrow end facing up), and 1 marshmallow onto a toothpick. One for each person.
Crostini topped with goat cheese, fig jam, and a thin slice of roasted turkey.
Carol
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”
