Advent's Third Sunday

Last Sunday many of you lit the 3rd candle for Advent.  You may have reminded your congregation of the words of the angels as they announced to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace." 

The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, wrote many years before the first Christmas that a child was to be born who would be called the Prince of Peace.  Jesus would say of himself, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (Jn. 14:27) 

In a world like ours, I doubt if peace among men will ever be a reality — especially in these last days — but personal peace is possible and attainable through our faith in Jesus Christ. We live in a fallen world controlled on the human level by sinful men. That combination rejects the peace that Jesus offered, but there is the promise of perfect peace that comes by emptying our minds of fear, anxiety and bitterness, and by allowing the presence of God to fill us where dismay and doubt exists.

We become instruments of His peace as we pray the prayer of St. Francis: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy."

Preach his peace this week, my colleague. Live in peace.