The Candle of Peace

Each December many Christian churches celebrate Advent, which is a four-week season of reflective preparation for Christ’s Nativity at Christmas and also the expectation of Christ’s return in the Second Coming.  We celebrate these events by symbolically lighting candles. Each of the five candles, one of which is lit weekly, represent something different, concerning an important 

Ellen Taylor

element in the coming of Christ and the Christmas Story. They represent Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and lastly Christ. As we are now entering the second week of Advent I wanted to share some thoughts about Peace. 
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I’m a person who likes to stay on top of what is happening in our world.  I read the paper and listen to Spokane Public Radio every morning. As you might anticipate, the news is rarely good. It usually involves political controversy, violence in our cities and most recently the war that is being waged in Israel. The descriptions of the destruction and loss of life 

of innocent men, women, and children defies belief. I feel so powerless when I hear of these atrocities.  So, in such dark times where can we find Peace? Where do we turn?

We can share our thoughts with others who feel the same frustration with the state of our world. However constructive solutions seem unattainable, unrealistic and just reinforce our inability and powerlessness to make any type of significant change. This cause, this desire for Peace seems out of our reach. So, what should we do?  What can we do?

I think the only real answer is for Christians to turn to Jesus. He is the only one who can provide us with inner peace. Christ’s death on the cross allows us to have salvation from our sins and also the knowledge that He will return and heal our broken world. Believers also can let others know that the peace of Christ is available to everyone who believes and trusts in Him. 

So, as we begin our second week of Advent let us all consider the Peace of the Lord. When things in our physical world seem so difficult and insurmountable, turning to Jesus is really the only way that we can find true Peace on Earth.  

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillippians 4: 7

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9: 6
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In His Name, Ellen