Advent – Week 2

What is Advent?

Advent = arrival.  Advent is a season of 4 weeks in our church calendar that refers to the 4 weeks of anticipation leading up to Christmas and the arrival of Jesus Christ.

And each week we celebrate a different theme that we experience in this time of anticipation:

Week 1 - HOPE,

Week 2 - PEACE,

Week 3 - LOVE

Week 4 - JOY

The Advent of Peace

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 1:34-38

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 2:1-7

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

Luke 2:6-7

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 

What tends to steal your peace?

• Interruptions and the unexpected?

• Rejection?

• Your environment?

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Will you trust him? Will you fix your thoughts on him?

:::RESPONSE:::

What would it look like for you later today, or as you go about your week to pause and create space to receive Jesus’ peace?

And if you did that, how might this season be different for you?

Take a moment now to invite Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to fill you.