Advent of Peace

In the season leading up to Christmas, many Christians celebrate the expectation of Jesus coming to earth.  This season, called Advent (from the Latin word "adventus" or "coming"), is characterized by reflections on hope, peace, love and joy.  It is also a time of self-examination.

So it is a good time to reflect, what does "peace" mean to Christians?

Christians believe we don't have peace because we are fundamentally broken.  No matter how hard we try to be and do good, we cannot help but to do or want things that hurt ourselves or hurt others.  Christians believe that the first step to finding peace, within ourselves and within the world, is to first make peace with God by apologizing to him for all our mistakes and asking for his forgiveness.

Christianity also emphasises that our outward actions are expressions of our inward heart.  If we say hateful things or do violent acts, it is because we first harboured negative and hostile  thoughts.  Jesus said that if we even grumble about someone under our breath, we've just as well as murdered them. (Matthew 5:21-24, Mark 7:20-23)  Furthermore, how we treat one another are expressions of what we think and feel about God. (Matthew 25:31-46)

Pope Paul VI said that “if you want peace, work for justice.”   Many of the Bible readings on "peace" also talk about social justice.  By treating people with dignity and kindness, by exhibiting mercy and compassion, by living generously and fairly, and by standing up to injustice and maliciousness, we are creating a more peaceful planet.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Is there someone in your life who you think you could have a better relationship with if you apologized to them for something you did?
2. Can you think of a time you said or did something mean and were surprised at yourself for doing so?
3. What do other religions or belief systems say about peace?

For those interested in further Bible readings on Peace, here is a list compiled by the Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA.

Advent

Isaiah's vision of peace (Isaiah 2:1-5, Advent 1, Year A).

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122, Advent 1, Year A).

The Shoot of Jesse will judge the poor with justice, the meek with equity, and the wolf will lie down with the lamb (Isaiah 11:1-10, Advent 2, Year A).

May the king judge the poor with justice, deliver the needy, and crush the oppressor (Psalm 72:1-7, 18-18, Advent 2, Year A).

Welcome one another, even "outsiders" (Romans 5:4-13, Advent 2, Year A).

Change! For the reign of God is near (Matt. 3:1-12, Advent 2, Year A).

God executes justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets the prisoner free, watches over strangers, and upholds orphans and widows (Psalm 146:5-10, Advent 3, Year A).

Mary's song of God's economic and political reversal (Luke 1:47-55, Advent 3, Year A).

Nonviolent patience with one another (James 5:7-10, Advent 3, Year A).

Jesus, messiah for the marginalized and poor (Matt. 11:2-11, Advent 3, Year A).

A greeting of peace (1 Co. 1:3-9, Advent 1, Year B).

Announcing liberty to the captives (Isaiah 40:1-11, Advent 2, Year B).

Justice and peace will kiss each other (Psalm 85:1-2,8-13, Advent 2, Year B).

A new heaven and earth of justice (2 Peter 3: 8-15a, Advent 2, Year B).

The Spirit is upon the Servant to preach the gospel to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners (Isaiah 60:1-4, 8-11, Advent 3, year B).

Do not despise the words of prophets (1 Thessalonians. 5:6-14, Advent 3, Year B).

The Branch of David will execute justice (Jeremiah 33:14-16, Advent 1, Year C).

Jesus will guide our feet in the way of peace (Luke 1:68-79, Advent 2, Year C).

God will deal with our oppressors, save the lame, and gather the outcast (Zephaniah 3:14-20, Advent 3, Year C).

Let your gentleness be known to everyone (Philippians 4:4-7, Advent 3, Year C).

Share your food and clothing (Luke 3:7-18, Advent 3, Year C).

The messiah will be the one of peace (Micah 5:2-5a, Advent 4, Year C).

Mary's song of the poor (Luke 1:46b-55, Advent 4, Year C).

Christmas

Warrior boots and bloody garments will be burned when the Prince of Peace comes (Isaiah 9:2-7, Nativity of Our Lord, Proper 1, Year A, Christmas Day, Year B, C).

God is Ruler and will judge the nations with equity (Psalm 96, Nativity of Our Lord, Proper 1, Year A).

Peace on earth (Luke 2:1-20, Nativity of Our Lord, Proper 1 and 2, Year A, Christmas Day, Year B).

God is Ruler and righteousness and justice are the foundation of God's throne (Psalm 97, Nativity of Our Lord, Proper 2, Year A, Christmas Day, Proper 2, Year C).

Beautiful are the feet of the messenger who brings good news of peace (Isaiah 52:7-10, Christmas Day, Proper 3, Year A & C).

God will judge the world with justice and the peoples with equity (Psalm 98, Christmas Day, Proper 3, Year A, Christmas Day, Proper 1 & 3, Year C).

Jesus, a refugee from Herod's violence (Matthew 2:13-23, First Sunday after Christmas, Year A).

God give you peace (Numbers 6:22-27, Holy Name of Jesus, Jan. 1, Year A & C).

You are no longer a slave, but a child (Galatians 4:4-7, Holy Name of Jesus, Jan. 1, Year A).

Every tongue should confess Jesus is Lord, not Caesar (Philippians 2:5-11, Holy Name of Jesus, Jan. 1, Year A, B, C).

Marginalized shepherds go to see Christ Child (Luke 2:15-21, Holy Name of Jesus, Jan. 1, Year A, B, C, Christmas Day, Proper 1 & 2, Year C).

There is a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, New Year's Day, Year A, B, C).

New heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1-6a, New Year's Day, Year A, B, C).

Christ's final judgment is based upon our response to the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and prisoners (Matthew 25:3-46, New year's Day, Year A, B, C).

God will gather the handicapped and vulnerable from across the earth (Jeremiah 31:7-14, Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A).

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:12-17, First Sunday after Christmas, Year C).

God grants peace within your borders (Psalm 147:12-20, Second Sunday after Christmas, Year C).

Leo Hartshorn

Minister of Peace and Justice

Mennonite Mission Network

Pasted from <http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/pjadventlect.html> 

For a good site on Christian Advent traditions:

http://www.kingofpeace.org/advent/advent.htm