Phillipians 4:7 says this:
​7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As I continue my thoughts on Advent this year, the second Advent candle is peace. I can’t remember a time in my life where we needed a peace that passes understanding. Regardless, the political side it is easy to see how divided the country is over a variety of issues. We increase the divide further economically and culturally as well.
The incredible thing to me is that the divide is not just on a national scale. It exists within tiny communities too. Church denominations divide themselves from other denominations and even groups within these denominations are divided all the way down to congregations having factions within them. The division is so deep. The question might be to ask how it occurred? The answer is simple. It happened just like most divorces: a slow fade with lack of communication and care on both sides for both sides.
How do we escape this divisiveness? The answer lies in the candle. The candlelight represents the light of Christ that all people may see and have peace by the same light. If the first candle reminds me of the hope I have in Christ, then the second reminds me that my prayers need to be for a peace that exceeds my understanding. It is through prayer that we may become vulnerable to God and then vulnerable to others. Through our own vulnerability, we can be better communicators and live more caring lives. This will lead us to unity and peace in Christ.
Here is a liturgical prayer for peace:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who said to Your Apostles: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you,” regard not my sins but the faith of Your Church, and deign to give her peace and unity according to Your Will: Who live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.