This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent; and still no Christmas scripture because this is Advent, not Christmas. Advent is a season of preparation and waiting for what will happen at Christmas. The theme for this Sunday is “Peace” and yet the word “Peace” is not found in the assigned texts.
On this Second Sunday of Advent the assigned texts always feature John the Baptist. The most familiar words about John the Baptist is that he would be “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’” (Isaiah 40:3 & Mark 1:3) John the Baptist comes with a message of preparing us for the coming of “The Prince of Peace”; who would later say to us “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)
In 2020, our Advent journey remind us that “The Prince of Peace” born nearly 2000 years ago has already come and brought peace into our lives; if we will yield to it and receive it. We do not have to wait till Christmas to experience this peace, we simply need say yes to a relationship with the Prince of Peace and allow Christ to be born anew in us.
It is remarkable what can happen, even during a pandemic, when we begin to stake our lives on the conviction that ours is a God of peace, who makes all things new. Even more, it is remarkable what can happen when we respond to God’s invitation to join in the task of living in and proclaiming peace in our lives, our community and our world. That is the source of making “Peace on earth, good will to all.”
Join us for worship this Second Sunday of Advent by Zoom or Facebook livestream when my sermon will be “Preparing The Way for Peace,” based on Isaiah 40:1-5, 10-11 and Mark 1:1-8.
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