“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned…”
Isaiah 9:2
When we walk in darkness, we fumble and grasp for something to hold onto, looking for any sliver of light to lead us, guide us, and help us find our way. This year, I feel as though I come weary and limping into the Advent season. The heaviness and brokenness of the world we live in weighs on me. The brokenness, division, and disunity I see within the Church breaks my heart. The brokenness I see in myself, how often I mess up, fall short, disappoint those I love, and don’t reflect Jesus the way I want to. Everything just feels broken, heavy, dark, and I’m grasping for the light.
And so, we light the Advent candle of peace today—and we wait.
We yearn and search for peace. God feels silent. We feel lost. We’re overwhelmed—burned out. Fear cripples us. Worry is our constant companion. We try meditation, self-care, setting intentions, vacations. We sedate, medicate, placate—all to find some relief from the heaviness of life. And while at times those things may be helpful and even necessary, there is only one source that can offer us true peace, Jesus, our Prince of Peace—my Prince of Peace.
And as the candle here offers a flicker of light in this great room, it only takes a flicker of His light to break through, pierce the darkness, and lead us home to Jesus, the light and source of true peace.
“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.”
Isaiah 9:6
His light fills the cracks in my broken heart, infusing a peace that surpasses all understanding. His peace replaces the fear with trust, my worries with His promises.
Emmanuel has come. God is WITH us.
Because He is with me, I will not be afraid.
Because He is with me, I will not be shaken.
Because He is with me, His peace surrounds and comforts me.
Because He is with me, I can rejoice.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:4-9
We still wait—for His second coming, for Him to establish His kingdom and restore all things. But we should not wait passively. We can talk with Jesus, linger in His presence, allow His Holy Spirit to lead us. We can extend His peace and hope to others – offering Jesus as the light to the darkness. His with-ness allows us to bear witness to others the peace and joy that can be found even in the midst of pain and suffering. We can remind one another of His promises, found in His word.
His peace is with me—His peace is with you—because the Lord is near. Emmanuel has come. So let us, this weary world, rejoice!
What areas of my life do I need His peace?
How have I felt His nearness lately?
How can I share His peace with others?
Dear God, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Emmanuel, God with us. When Your love came down, light broke through the darkness. Your nearness and with-ness allow us to withstand the storms of life, grounding our faith with Your supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding. When the weight of this world overwhelms us, or our circumstances feel out of control, may we run to You, Jesus, and not to the temporary band-aids this world offers. May we allow You to hold us, comfort us, and heal us with Your perfect love, which casts out all fear. Let us offer Him the rags of our sin and brokenness and allow Him to clothe us with His righteousness through Jesus. May we no longer walk in the shame of our failures and shortcomings, but may we walk in this world as Your beloved and dance to the songs You sing over us. Oh, Prince of Peace, be our Peace at Christmas, and always. Amen.