Advent Greetings,

This advent I have been trying to count the blessings, finding one or two things each day to be thankful for. I have found this a really helpful way to take some time out from my schedule, a time for a moment or two of peace spent reflecting on those things that are really important.  One of the ways I have tried to focus is to re-read the Names of Jesus Advent Calendar which I purchased a couple of years ago.

Today’s verse is one of real promise and blessing as, among other things, it names Jesus as the Prince of Peace.  It reads: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests on his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Peace, or shalom as it is in Hebrew, is a word which means many things.  It is more than about taking a couple of minutes in the day.  Instead, shalom is connected to harmony and completeness, wholeness and abundance.  As the ‘prince of peace’, Jesus’ is the one who gifts these things. He brings wholeness, abundance and completeness to people’s lives – peace between people and peace with God.

Peace might seem to be a bit of a pipe-dream, something we long for but feel is unattainable.  The reality is that Jesus’ peace can be ours right now.  When we live following his example, then we come to live in harmony with God and one another more and more.  We come to care for the world more too.  Real peace, shalom, keeps growing in us and spills out, overflowing into our whole lives, including our encounters with others.

Each one of us, in fact the whole world, needs to hold on to the promises advent – hope, peace, joy and love.  If we are able to affirm these promises, then we need to share them too.  Yes, the world does need a stable influence … let us be willing to invite people to come to the stable and meet the God who has slipped into skin to be with us.

May the advent blessings of hope, peace, joy and love be with you over the Christmas Season and into 2022.

Christmas Blessings – Heather.

PS: The ‘stable influence’ image was another blessing that arrived via text from a congregation member during the week.  See … there are little blessings everywhere.