Day 7: The Light Of The World Has Come ~ Advent Readings 2021 by Eve S

 

7th Day of Advent – December 4^th, 2021
7th Night of Chanukkah

Week 1: Hope (or promise) ~ Light 1 purple candle

 

The One Who Is Our Peace

 Advent Hymn:   🎼 O Little Town Of Bethlehem🎶

Written originally for children in Sunday school in his Philadelphia Episcopal parish, Phillips Brooks in 1868 captured the imagination of adults as well with his vivid verses.
He penned them after a pilgrimage to Bethlehem in 1865. The church organist, Lewis Redner added music to this delightful poem.

Verse 1
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

Verse 2
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.

Verse 3
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in

Verse 4
Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

^“2But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
³ Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
⁴ And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
⁵ And he shall be their peace.  ~Micah 5:2-5


The One Who Is Our Peace

The details surrounding Christ’s birth are so specific, there’s no mistaking God sent Jesus to a particular place(foretold by the prophet Micah 700 years BEFORE Jesus birth!), at the right time in history, for all of mankind. His ultimate purpose was to provide each of us with reconciliation to God. Why? Because our Heavenly Father saw the ravages of sin which separated us from Him. He saw our turmoil and wanted us to have peace. Lasting peace. Peace which surpasses all understanding, so we could know God personally, enjoy Him thoroughly and become more like Him each day.

 

What steals your peace? Is it unexpected events, unmet needs, or incongruent behaviour from trusted friends or family?
And what restores peace in the midst of all of this?
Jesus Christ who came to a lowly, smelly animal pen and slept in a feeding trough. This Child came to restore relationship first with God and then with one another. This God-man was willing to lay aside His heavenly power and position to come down to our level so we would understand God’s matchless grace and undeserved mercy.

The One Who is our peace is present with us, Immanuel.

 

I can still remember learning my first Christmas carol, Away In A Manger at age 4, and I can still feel the joy of getting it that God sent His very best for all the world. May Christ’s peace rule in your heart each and every day.

 

Prayer:

 

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your endless compassion and Your unfathomable desire for relationship with us. Thank You for sending Jesus so I might experience eternal peace today.