* Advent 2 – Peace

This Sunday we lit the second Advent candle, the candle of peace. As we prepare for the coming of Christ, not only shall we be filled with hope, but peace. We often think of being at peace, as being still. Stillness perhaps does help us to find peace, but I do not think that peace is ultimately a still undertaking. It is calm within the tumult of the times that is peace. Peace in preparation for the arrival of Christ. As we continue with the season of preparation I have personally discovered how much the season becomes personal. A member of our family has been in hospital this fall, which has been difficult and as we prepare for Christmas possibly without them at home it is hard to decide whether to await their return, to continue on without them, or to discard some traditions without them. We however are reminded with the season of Advent that we are preparing, continuing on with a tradition that has been ongoing for quite some time, and that Christ has not yet joined us either. Also there is some sense of rhythm and routine with keeping with tradition and once again preparing ourselves, even if the season has not brought what we earlier anticipated. This is often the part of December when Blue Christmas services are organized. It is as impossible to halt the season of Advent as it is to halt the Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall seasons; things must inevitably go on regardless of how or whether we choose to celebrate. If we dash off either to attend to other things, or to avoid the season altogether, then we will miss the arrival of the heavenly host and the moment of peace.