Second Week of Advent 2014

This coming Sunday, we celebrate the second week of advent. We will light the Peace candle, which is the second candle of Advent. If you are using a traditional advent wreath that has 3 purple candles, 1 pink, and 1 white, then you will light a second purple candle. Each week of advent, you light the previous week’s candle along with the newest candle.

The Second Candle is Lit to Remind us of God’s Peace

Let’s think a minute about the kind of peace we are familiar with. There are times when we experience peace in our lives. It might be a time without conflict, a feeling of calmness, or a mere presence of mind. All of these times of peace come to an end.

The kind of peace that is brought by our savior is everlasting. It is the what the Bible describes as peace that passes all understanding. It is the type of calmness in the midst of difficult times that can only be brought about by God.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace

The prophet Isaiah calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. He was sent by God to bring an everlasting peace between us and Himself. We were reconciled to God through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

Peace within ourselves and with others must first start with accepting the peace Jesus gave us. May we be reminded to reflect on the sacrificial gift of peace that Jesus brought to us all, by the lighting of this candle.

Colossians 1:19-22

In Colossians 1:19-22, the Bible tells us that God was happy to send Jesus to earth for us. How humbling that He sent His only son to earth. Jesus wasn’t forced, He willingly came.

The verses go on to tell us that we have peace because of the blood of the cross. Before Christ could die for our sins, He had to be born. It is because of his birth, death, and resurrection that we can be holy and blameless before God.

Ephesians 2:11-17

Another scripture that will help you reflect on the peace of God is Ephesians 2:11-17. The verses remind us that we were once separated from God by our own sin. There is no way for us to be in right standing with Him on our own.

Being at war with God brings turmoil in our hearts. When we trust in Jesus, peace fills our hearts, because we have been made a friend of God. Jesus broke down the barriers between us and God and filled those gaps. When Jesus came, he taught and preached peace to everyone.

This week, I hope you take the time to reflect on the peace that came to earth on account of Christ. The angels proclaimed peace on earth to the shepherds out in the field. We can experience peace that passes all understanding because of Christ.