Advent Reflection: Peace

Our Advent journey continues as we prepare for the coming of the Christ child and we form our lives in his way of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.  Today we reflect on Peace and the way the Luke 1:68-79 invites us to understand John’s ministry as preparing us to walk in the way of peace by letting us know of the knowledge of salvation (healing) through the forgiveness of our sins. 

 Why do we resist God’s love?  Why is it hard to forgive others, and even to forgive ourselves?  “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 in the way of peace.” 

 God yearns to be in deep loving relationship – not with who we could be, not so God can get something out of us – but just because God loves who we already are, and no-one is an except to that love.  As people of peace we need to be at peace in ourselves so that can carry that peace into all our relationships and the key to peace is forgiveness: to forgive and accept forgiveness with others, with ourselves, and with God.

 May we be bathed in the tender mercies of God this season as we prepare and are prepared to walk in the way of peace.

 Because I’ve been thinking of soundtracks of Advent I offer this song.  The song was not written to talk about God, it’s not a song about Advent, and yet I found myself listening to it this afternoon and thinking it says so much about our relationship with God and God’s desired relationship with us that it would be a good “soundtrack” to our Advent preparation in peace.

 Christina Perri, Arms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnUh9WRBLog

 

“Arms”

I never thought that you would be the one to hold my heart
But you came around and you knocked me off the ground from the start

You put your arms around me
And I believe that it’s easier for you to let me go
You put your arms around me and I’m home

How many times will you let me change my mind and turn around?
I can’t decide if I’ll let you save my life or if I’ll drown

I hope that you see right through my walls
I hope that you catch me ’cause I’m already falling
I’ll never let a love get so close
You put your arms around me and I’m home

The world is coming down on me and I can’t find a reason to be loved
I never wanna leave you but I can’t make you bleed if I’m alone

You put your arms around me
And I believe that it’s easier for you to let me go…

I hope that you see right through my walls
I hope that you catch me, ’cause I’m already falling
I’ll never let a love get so close
You put your arms around me and I’m home

I tried my best to never let you in to see the truth
And I’ve never opened up
I’ve never truly loved ’til you put your arms around me
And I believe that it’s easier for you to let me go

I hope that you see right through my walls
I hope that you catch me, ’cause I’m already falling
I’ll never let a love get so close
You put your arms around me and I’m home

You put your arms around me and I’m home