Advent Peace

Advent Peace Devotional: Preparing for His Coming

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Advent Peace

God's peace keeps us steady no matter what is going on around us. During this season, it's so easy to get caught up in the practical and material preparation for Christmas, from events to gifts, from clothes to decorations. Instead of feeling peaceful, we can feel fraught, hurried, and pressured. This is exactly why we need to stay aware of Jesus and focus on preparing spiritually for Christmas.

The peace Jesus came to bring is not an absence of pressure, challenges, or trouble. It's calm and well-being, despite it. We do not have to be swept along by the stresses associated with the preparation. We can instead be steadied by the peace of Christ. This may require us to be intentional about our approach to getting ready for Christmas.

We do not seek to generate our own peace by our own efforts. The peace we can receive from Jesus is peace through Him. We have peace with God because through Jesus we are reconciled, forgiven, and brought near (Romans 5:1). We do not need to create peace; we need to receive it. Then, in our daily interactions, we can bring peace to the people we meet and the places we go, as we ask and allow the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of peace in our lives.

Christmastime can sometimes cause us to face difficult relationships, but Scripture reminds us to be "counsellors of peace" (Proverbs 12:20 NKJV) and reminds us that all wisdom's paths are peace (Proverbs 3:17). The wisdom of God equips us to handle conflict and challenges peacefully as we navigate relationships, boundary setting, spending, and scheduling. So remember to pray often for God's peace throughout the Christmas season.

Write the Scriptures: Advent Peace

These seven verses will help you reflect on the Advent theme of peace:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

And he shall be their peace. (Micah 5:5)

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7)

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs 3:17)

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)

Prayer of Peace at Advent

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving me Your peace. Help me receive, carry, and give it to others this season.

May Your peace truly guard and protect my mind during this season as Your Holy Spirit guides my decision-making and actions. I choose to follow peace and reflect You by being a peacemaker.

Bring to my attention everything that keeps me reluctant to pursue peace, such as unforgiveness, resentment, anger, or fear of rejection.

Help me set wise boundaries on my time, energy, and finances as I rest in You during Advent and beyond. In Jesus' Name, Amen.