The only way to redeem the deep value of the Advent is to remember its purpose.

Advent allows us to celebrate the prophesied arrival of Christ and it is a time of expectation and preparation. Each week we have the opportunity to reflect on specific themes that confirm what the arrival of Christ has secured for us.

We then, with great expectation and preparation, make room in our hearts to embrace all that Christ brings to us and to intentionally choose to engage them in our lives.

The Advent Promise Of Peace Has Been Declared To Us, Defined For Us … And Is To Be Demonstrated By Us

The gift of peace is a very precious gift that provides a powerful impact for us … and it was prophesied to be a part of the reason for the arrival of Christ.

These are the words of the prophet to us, “For a child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)

Prince of Peace … Christ came to give us a reigning, even prevailing peace. A peace that can not be overwhelmed or overtaken. It’s not an earthly peace … literally, nothing like what the world could give.

Pastor Aaron Couch says it this way, “You and I, as followers of Jesus, should be able to live our lives in peace. Peace. Like we don’t get ratcheted up. We don’t get freaked out. We don’t have to panic. Now that doesn’t mean that we don’t have those feelings, but they don’t get to control our lives because what controls our lives is the Holy Spirit … and the fruit of the spirit … love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. (Galatians 5:22,23). This is the evidence that the spirit is at work in our life. When we find ourselves in a place where we don’t have peace, it’s evident that that space in our life is not under the control of the Holy Spirit. And that’s not something we should feel horrible about. That’s something we should dance about because now we have an opportunity to turn that over to the Lord and experience Him all the more._ ”

I love how peace is described for us here. This amplified expression gives us so much to think about and to take on.

Here is just a sampling of all that this promise of peace can mean to us:

▪ this peace can resolve every conflict, so we can lay down the sword
▪ this peace can quench evil flames
▪ this peace stays even when trouble blows
▪ this peace is strongly felt when sorrow nears
▪ this peace endures, even when the thunder rolls
▪ this peace can calm our troubled souls

The Advent promise of peace makes all of this ours!

These days of Advent give us so much opportunity to enjoy a heightened sense of expectation and to express more intentional preparation.

Let’s embrace these days fully and employ all that God has made available to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Advent Promise Of Peace Has Been Declared To Us, Defined For Us … And Is To Be Demonstrated By Us

Praise Be To God And To Christ His Son!

I celebrate His coming and I will revel in His peace … and you?

-Terry & Ruthanne-

2020 THEME
Rendering Ourselves Empty … In Order To Receive His Plenty!