Advent: Peace

Focus: During Advent and the high holy-days, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle
and bustle of making preparations – whether we are sorting through shopping lists, party
planning, anticipating the arrival of out of town guests, or something else. This season
can also be a time of stress and urgency. Some of us tend to move a bit more quickly as
we sense the end of the calendar year and sometimes get overwhelmed with everything
on our plates, so much so that we get distracted and lose sight of what really matters.
This year is no different, considering we are in year two of a pandemic, watching
political wars sweep the country, and reckon with whole cities on the brink of
environmental collapse. So much is in need of justice and repair. In our individual and
collective lives, it seems that every situation is one of anxiety and every moment feels
urgent. How do we slow down, breathe, and regain our balance? How do we maintain
hope and peace in the midst of it all? It may be helpful to start with acknowledging that
we cannot control everything, and that we need a little help and a whole lot of grace. We
need the peace of God which passes all understanding.

Sentences on the Subject:
“Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them
approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment.” (Isaiah 41:1)
“In traditional religious circles, we are rarely taught the value of quiet contemplation.
We are a ‘doing culture’ by habit and conditioning […] But carving out space for
contemplation and solitude can invite God to speak into our lives and offer us an
opportunity for us to steep in the depth of what God is already doing and saying.
Elizabeth had five uninterrupted months of quiet solitude to take in the reality of her
growing miracle. Not even her husband’s voice can intrude on this time of reflection.
Both Elizabeth and Zechariah are forced into holy retreat to dwell on what God is doing
in their lives.” (Okoro 53)

“The idea of being alone with our own thoughts and with God can be intimidating.
When we have cleared our lives of distractions and pause to sit in the ensuing space,
many surprising and unavoidable feelings and thoughts can surface in our minds and
hearts. Furthermore, we may hear not only our true selves but also what God is trying to
speak into our lives. Silence forces us to name our sources of meaning, value, and
identity. It creates room for our buried desires, fears, and other emotions to be heard.”
(Okoro 55)

“The Advent texts suggest that inherent in the waiting season is a season of preparation
where we have the opportunity to sit with God’s word and to pay attention to other ways
in which God might be calling us to grow. Each season of our lives provides
opportunities for us to discover new and continuing ways that God is speaking to us,
guiding us, and teaching us.” (Okoro 59)
“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light
to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of
peace.”
(Luke 1:78-79)

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Below is some “food for thought”, a few probes that might kick start a conversation.
Read over them and pick one (or more, or none) to discuss. Remember to hold space for
others to share and share only what you feel comfortable sharing.

Probe 1. Peace is the focus for the second week of Advent. Oftentimes, people translate
the Hebrew word shalom ( שׁלום ) as equivalent to “peace”, but shalom is distinct and
carries a broader meaning. Ther are also other words from indigenous cultures that we
can glean from to better understand what true peace actually means. Watch this short
video with Dr. Randy Woodley from NAIITS and let’s discuss. How does hearing about
Indigenous concepts of shalom make you think differently about the words “peace”?

Probe 2. Psalm 34:14 says to “seek peace, and pursue it.” What brings you peace?
Where do you struggle and need more grace to pursue peace within yourself?
Probe 3. Every day, we are confronted with choices about where we will spend our time.
Our attention is demanded by people and projects and very real problems. What people
or things are demanding your attention these days? If there were 25 hours in a day
instead of 24, how would you spend that extra time?

Probe 4. Howard Thurman writes about a request for God to “strengthen the hands of all
in high places and in common tasks who seek to build a friendly world of friendly
[human beings] beneath a friendly sky” (101). In a time of great strife and polarization
between people across race, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, citizenship status,
gender, ability, and more, this prayer request can feel elusive. What barriers are keeping
you from connecting with others in your church and local community? What are the
“common tasks” we can practice now to build a peaceful world?

Take Away. Advent happens once a year, but it doesn’t have to be confined to the
church calendar. Advent can become a ritual, a practice, even a sacrament to sustain us
through these holy-days and beyond. Perhaps sitting in silence is one way we can
practice peace in our hearts all year long. Take a moment to light your Advent wreath or
candle. As you light it, breathe in and out slowly, and spend a few minutes in silent
reflection. Take in what you have seen and heard tonight, and remember this poem by
Howard Thurman:
This is the Season of Promise
Let the bells be silenced
Let the gifts be stillborn
Let cheer be muted
Let music be soundless
[…]
Listen to the long stillness:
New life is stirring
New dreams are on the wing
New hopes are being readied:
Humankind is fashioning a new heart
Humankind is forging a new mind
God is at work.
This is the Season of Promise.

Commission: Hold on to what is good. Love deeply. Honor others. Stay excited about
life and your faith. Be joyful. Be patient. If you pray, have faith. Share with people who
are in need. Welcome others into your homes. Be loving to those who hurt you. Be
present; be in the moment. Be kind, even toward those with whom you disagree. Be
humble. Be a friend of people who aren’t considered important. Do the right thing. If
possible, live in peace with everyone. And remember, no matter who you are, or where
you are on life’s journey- you are welcome here.