Isaiah 40:3-5:  “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’”

After a chaotic year, there is comfort to be found when we pause to read, pray, and reflect over the course of the Advent season...a time when we eagerly anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth.

The second Sunday of Advent provides for us the peace of God.  Allowing us to look at others through heaven’s eyes and help guide the world to see God’s here and not-yet here kingdom.  Peace from God, Biblical peace, allows us to trust in God’s promises (Proverbs 3:5; "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"), through restful, tranquil faith, despite the dark, scary world around us.  The second Sunday of Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare our hearts in faithful waiting, celebrate the birth of Jesus, and ready ourselves for his second coming.

It's a beautiful chance to reflect on the ways prophecy has been fulfilled and to ponder what the future (promised to us through prophecies) will bring.

Psalm 46:10-11 says:  ..."Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

This week, we pause to remember who God is and what He has done for us. When our lives are hurried, we only have the chance to focus on our to-do lists. Making space in our schedules for prayer and meditation helps us to better see God at work in our lives and in our world.

As we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ arrival as a gift to all humanity, let’s stir up in our hearts and homes a sense of anticipation.  May God’s spirit transform the days leading up to Christmas into a time of holy anticipation; preparing our hearts, as we faithfully await the chance to celebrate the arrival of our King.

May we look to our Heavenly Father who gives us peace.  This second week of Advent causes us to remember that because of Jesus we can experience a Christmas free from turmoil and chaos. Regardless of our circumstances or our situations, God offers us peace that passes understanding. 

May God keep you in perfect peace as your mind is stayed on the truth of His powerful love. 

– The Elders.