Second Advent Reading

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Second Sunday in Advent

December 9, 2018

DARKNESS -TO- THE LIGHT OF PEACE

Written by Jonathan Sturgis

As I mentioned last week, we can find the reason and plan for the Advent of Jesus in the wondrous story of creation.  Today, the second Sunday of Advent, we celebrate the LIGHT of peace.  In the creation story, God created and formed the earth in the first 3 days.  Now, stay with me here.  In the next 3 days (days 4, 5, & 6) God filled what He had created in the first 3 days.  This amazing design of forming & filling is an example of God’s purpose which can bring peace.  You see, peace is not only the absence of war, or the avoidance of confrontation.  It is not just the absence of worry, turmoil or strife.  It is the state mind and spirit of existing as God intended and fulfilling what your creator purposed.  And it is enjoyed to its fullest when God fills what He has created in you.  Peace also comes from being in the presence of God.  We are not sure how many years transpired while Adam & Eve walked each day with God by their side in the garden.  We do, however, know what happened when they were alone with the serpent.  God’s presence, which brings with it NO guilt and casts out fear, is another example of the light of Peace.

God has formed humans with a spiritual need for Himself.  Without God, there would be Tohuw (confusion and chaos) and Bohuw (an empty waste or void) in our lives.  God has given us the light of peace in that He also provided a way to fill this condition of confusion & void.  This is the peace that comes from the Light of Jesus Christ our Messiah.  In Christ alone, we find the light of peace which casts out all darkness.  Sin and disobedience are often the result of a life not lived in the presence of God.

We see the word peace throughout the Old Testament.  From Genesis to Malachi, God desires that His people live in ‘Shalom’, or peace.

Numbers 6:24-26        “The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.”

Isaiah 26:3                  “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Isaiah 54:10                “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

And who is it that brings this peace to our lives? Our Messiah, Yahuwah, Savior, Jesus . . . the “Prince 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.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

The advent of Jesus the Messiah brings peace to all who believe & trust in him.  Jesus IS that peace that casts out confusion and fills our lives with meaning and joy.  This peace, or ‘Shalom’ in Hebrew, is a word full of meaning.  In its definition we find: safety, rest, wholeness, welfare, completeness, fullness, & well-being.  So, in this Christmas season, don’t search in vain for a hollow, temporary peace from the hustle & bustle and the stress of time commitments.  Open God’s gift to you; the light of peace.  Let Him rid your spirit of any darkness and fill you as you safely walk in the presence of Jesus the Christ.  Look into the face of your creator and provider of peace.  Then give back to God the Glory and honor due Him.  For as the Heavenly Host of Angels proclaimed to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE to men on whom His favor rests.”