“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
Recently, a fatigued and hopeless young woman participated in a Redemption Group Immersion™. She was so nervous, she left mid-group to vomit. Violence and suffering had plagued her life. She was confident the church could not handle, “the kind of dirty that soap don’t reach.” Hearing others’ be vulnerable about their debilitating sins and suffering bolstered her courage. Even still, when she began, she declared, “You guys. Listen. This is the last house on the block for me. I cannot keep going. If this doesn’t work, something will have to give.”
The group listened intently and responded with sincere compassion. As we transitioned from our group and headed out for lunch, a supervisor overheard the woman on the phone. Although he only heard one sentence, it spoke volumes. “I told them everything, and they didn’t judge me, but they loved me.” The supervisor beamed as he entered the leader’s debriefing room.
Over the course of a couple of days, this woman met Christ. She learned of his love, offer of atonement and reconciliation, and unbreakable pledges. He offered to be her Savior, Counselor, and Friend. She gave her life to him and received salvation. Visually, she looked different. She went from anxiety to peace. She survived against all odds and waited so long to receive her Prince of Peace. Sunday, she is being baptized.
This second week of Advent, we remember our Prince of Peace.
For those who have placed faith in Jesus’ justification, we have peace with God. Let that sink in afresh. Nothing can separate us from his love. Praise him. But Advent is also a time to anticipate the full shalom Jesus will bring his return. Not only a spiritual peace but the restoration of His creation. All things will live in perfect harmony as God intended. The end of suffering—injustice, poverty, disease, and violence.
Advent Wreath
In week two’s Advent wreath tradition, light the second candle, symbolizing peace. We pledge in our hearts to make peace where we are able, as a way of imaging Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.
O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death’s abode.
O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.