Now through the end of December, a chance to re-examine the gifts of Advent, the arrival of a Savior, and the epiphany of Epiphany.
Luke 2:13-14 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
Growing up in the South, I remember being interrogated in a rather condescending manner, “do you have peace with God?” Maybe it’s just a Bible Belt kind of question, but it felt shaming, and my frightened heart, insecure already in relationship to the Holy, would go a little deeper into hiding.
Now I realize that I did and do have such peace. God of the Angel Armies declared peace and proclaimed it to shepherds on a hillside more than 2,000 years ago. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased, shouts the gospel.
This is peace from heaven’s perspective: there is no war between God and his beloved! The advent was the beginning, Christ’s blood was the payment for the sin and death God warred against, and the resurrection and ascension signaled new power and presence of the Triune God with and for us. We are at complete peace in the most important relationship we have. So, light the fourth candle of the Advent wreath, the candle celebrating a peace that makes no earthly sense.
Song: I Heard the Bells https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0
Prayer: Giver of good gifts, thank you that we don’t have to struggle with our own insecurities about whether we deserve your love or have peace with you. That work is finished. You have spoken loudly and clearly in the advent, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of your own Son. All that’s left to us is to accept the gift.
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