Advent 2022: Peace

As we reached the second Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of peace, I reflected on how peace is both internal and external, and it also about now and the "not yet." In knowing God we can have the internal peace that allows us to pursue peace in our relationships and in the wider world. But a part of God's peace is found in the hope of what is to come. Peace in the present depends on faith in God's future. In one of her Advent devotions Dr. Anna Robbins (President of Acadia Divinity College) highlights two people from the Christmas story who demonstrated this steadfast faith in God's future.

What's reflected upon here is drawn from Luke 2:22-38

Remember those people praying outside the Temple when Zechariah went to the altar? They were seeking the consolation of Israel, and the angel told Zechariah that his prayer on their behalf had been answered. What then unfolded – a baby born in a humble stable – was hardly what anyone was expecting.

Many months later, we visit the Temple again, and meet two of those people who were praying for a messiah. Simeon and Anna had been waiting for a long time, and were now quite old, particularly by the standards of the time. Their persistence in hope, and in not surrendering their expectations in the face of a very long wait, is finally rewarded. And their prize is that they are given an opportunity to prophecy and rejoice at seeing their expectations fulfilled. Simeon blesses the child and His parents – especially Mary. But there is a barb in the prophecy. The child will bring salvation, but He will be opposed by many. ‘And a sword will pierce your own heart too’ (v35). We can imagine Mary’s countenance turning from delight to distress. What does this mean? What will happen to my child? What pain am I going to face? This isn’t the sort of message a new mother would expect to hear.

In our churches, we can often be dismissive of older voices, accusing them of being stuck in the past and out of touch, but those with wisdom of experience are sometimes able to identify God at work. Maybe those who have time to pray and think are most ready to see what God is doing. Perhaps they can see what others miss. Just as Simeon is finishing his words to the family, Anna approaches them with her own words of prophecy. A woman of great age, and great devotion to God, she too sees something special in Jesus. She praises God and speaks about Jesus to those expecting God to show up and do something for His people. Even though Simeon’s prophecy and Anna’s thanksgiving were uttered with joyful praise, the whole encounter would have been overwhelming for Mary and Joseph. They knew that Jesus was no ordinary child and must have been concerned about what the road ahead would look like. As they prepared for an unusual future for their son, they would also need to prepare their hearts for breaking. The sacrifice of their son would be a sacrifice for them too.

(Robbins, Anna. Unexpected Jesus: Cover to Cover Advent Study Guide (Cover to Cover Advent Guide) (pp. 50-51). Cwr. Kindle Edition.)

Closing Prayer: Jesus, I sometimes find it hard to walk with You when the way is not easy. Give me courage for the journey and companions for the way. Help me to hear the wisdom of those who have been this way before. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW4c6DcxgGc