Peace be with you..
The season of Advent in Christian circles is the most anticipated liturgical cycle around the world.
Translated from Greek (Parousia) and the Latin verb adventus (to come), this time is an extended preparation by believers to prepare for the birth of our Lord and Saviour celebrated on Christmas Day.
His coming had been foretold in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 53: 2-5 we read: “For he had no form or majesty that we should look at him…He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity, Surely, he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions,”
As human beings, with all going on around us, we can easily be led astray to places we should not go if we believe that God is Sovereign over all, in control of all, and readily available for us.
So why do we turn to advent in this time? Why did the Jewish people cling to their hope? Why did the apostles cling so tightly unto death?
In John 14:27, Jesus left his disciples with a gift beyond compare:
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.”
Like the early Jews and Christians today, we reach out for that which the world can not give. Instead of pain, we seek healing. Instead of anger, we seek contentment. Instead of desperation, we can find peace…
During this first week of advent, seek the peace of Christ and do not fear, for He is with us.
Tim Lasiuta is a Red Deer writer, promoter and historian. He can be contacted at timlasiuta@hotmail.com.