The Fourth Sunday of Advent

   “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be the ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”  (Micah 5: 2)

   The last week of Advent will be quite short this year; just two days.  We have hopefully prepared ourselves for the birth of our Savior over these last few weeks.  Our hearts should be filled with joy at the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah.

   Throughout His ministry Jesus offered peace.  To the apostles He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”  (John14: 27).  “Peace be with you” was a common part of His ministry.  Yet we look around and peace is not evident in our world.

   The peace Jesus gave to His apostles and to us is not the peace of the world but peace of the heart, peace of the soul.  The peace that comes from surrendering ourselves to His blessed plan.  Our peace is to be within; peace regardless of our circumstances or the crosses we may be called to bear.  The peace of Christ is the peace of eternity.  The world will never know true peace, but we can know the blessing of His peace.

   For these next two days let’s focus on the peace that our Lord gives.  Forget for a while the anger, violence and sin of the fallen world in which we live.  As a family reread the Infancy Narrative found in Luke, chapter two.  Know and rejoice in the peace of our Lord.

Lord, we so many times focus on the woes of this world.

May we instead rejoice in the inner peace You offer.

As we celebrate Your birth

Let Your peace fill us with joy.

Amen