Folks, this month is probably the fastest one of the year to go by.  That blink of an eye between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The Christmas season is in full swing now.  Christmas lights, Christmas music, Christmas dishes, Christmas cards, Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, Christmas trees and an so on.  All this frenzy of activity and all of a sudden it’s here…Christmas Day is already here?

It was so great these past two Sunday’s however to focus just a little on the real meaning of it all.  Buried beneath the avalanche of silliness is the true meaning of it all.  For years I would race like everyone else through these 30 days and barely have time to think about it. When we started to focus on the Advent, the time when we anticipate the arrival of of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, it helped to keep it all in perspective.

I was fortunate this past Sunday to be able to light the Advent candle of Peace, the second week of Advent at our church.  This second candle reminds us that with the coming of this light, there is peace, for Christ is called the Prince of Peace.  His name is also Emmanuel (God with us).  His presence with us gives us peace day by day.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders and he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His government and its peace will never end.  Isaiah 9:6-7

Heavenly Father, we want to get this month back and truly dedicate it to you.  Thank you for giving us this season of Advent to help us see more clearly the purpose in the greatest gift we will ever receive, the gift of your precious only son, Jesus.  We want to acknowledge him as our Prince of Peace, especially in midst of a time that mostly feels anything but peaceful.  In him alone is peace, perfect peace.  Amen